Nicki Minaj has decided to pull out of Jeddah World Fest, a concert in Saudi Arabia, to show support for freedom of expression. Minaj was originally scheduled to headline the concert on July 18 in Jeddah.
“After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest.”, said Minaj.
Other performers in Jeddah World Fest include former One Direction member Liam Payne and DJ-producer Steve Aoki.
Jeddah World Fest is open to people 16 and older and will take place at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium in the Red Sea city, and will be broadcast globally. The kingdom is also promising quick electronic visas for international visitors who want to attend.
According to AP, The Human Rights Foundation issued a statement last week, calling for Minaj and other performers to pull out of the show.
“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. “The July 18 festival in Saudi Arabia still shows Liam Payne as a performer. We hope that he follows Nicki Minaj’s lead. Minaj’s moral stance differs from celebrity performers like J-Lo and Mariah Carey who in the past have chosen to line their pockets with millions of dollars and stand with dictatorial governments as opposed to with oppressed communities and imprisoned human rights activists.”
Over the past several months, the kingdom has seen performances by Carey, Enrique Iglesias, the Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, David Guetta and Tiesto. That’s a stark change from when Saudi morality police would raid establishments that played loud music, reported AP.
Saudi Arabia is seeing drastic changes as a result of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ‘reform’ efforts, including the opening of the first movie theatre
In December 2018, women — some without headscarves — drove themselves to a Formula-E car race where thousands of young Saudis and hundreds of international visitors partied into the night at concerts, something unthinkable until recently in a so called ‘Islamic country’ where religious police used to enforce strict rules.
