Nicki Minaj Will Not Be Performing in Saudi Arabia
Nicki Minaj has backed out and will not be performing in Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Fest.
Nicki Minaj earlier said that she will be performing in Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Fest to support women’s rights and the rights of LGBTQ+ community. She was scheduled to perform and lead the event on 18th of July but she pulled out and said that she will not be performing at the event anymore.
In a statement on Tuesday, Nicki Minaj said:
“After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest. While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression”
The Human Rights Foundation had asked the performers to back out in a statement released last week. They praised Nicki Minaj for pulling out and not performing at the globally broadcasted event.
This is what leadership looks like. We are grateful to Nicki Minaj for her inspiring and thoughtful decision to reject the Saudi regime’s transparent attempt at using her for a public relations stunt,” said Thor Halvorssen, president of the Human Rights Foundation.
Saudi Arabia does have a patriarchal society where men dominate women in all aspects. Nicki Minaj had received severe backlash because her thoughts and beliefs were not aligning with what happens in Saudi Arabia. In an open letter to Nicki from Human Rights Foundation, they urged her to refuse the regime’s money and rather demand the freedom of detained women activists in Saudi.
People were calling out Nicki for her hypocrisy as she supports the LGBTQ+ community and their rights and homosexuality is banned in the country of Saudi Arabia. Hence, Nicki had to back out.
