Nicki Minaj has canceled plans to perform at a concert in Saudi Arabia next week after being urged to do so by the Human Rights Foundation.
Minaj said in a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday that upon "careful reflection," she has decided not to perform at the Jeddah World Fest in Saudi Arabia, which she was to headline.
"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,” Minaj said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Minaj has faced backlash and calls not to support Saudi Arabia with this concert on July 18, with the Human Rights Foundation recently telling the rapper in a letter that if she moves ahead with the event, she "will be in league with the people who respond to freedom of expression and thought with murder," The Washington Post reports.
Human Rights Foundation President Thor Halvorssen celebrated Minaj's decision to pull out of the event on Tuesday, telling AP that "we are grateful" that she decided to "reject the Saudi regime’s transparent attempt at using her for a public relations stunt," adding, "This is what leadership looks like." Halvorssen also said the organization hopes that Liam Payne, who is still scheduled for the show, "follows Nicki Minaj's lead."
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's viewSpeed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talkSpeed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposesspeed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wifespeed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster showSpeed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
