Nicki Minaj pulls out of Saudi Arabia show after 'better educating myself on the issues'

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.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up

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."