Nicki Minaj has pulled out of a concert in Saudi Arabia following an angry backlash from the LGBT community, who hit out at the country’s poor human rights record.
The rapper, who was raised in Queens, New York, provoked an online storm when she agreed to perform at Jeddah World Fest, prompting supporters to call for her to renounce the country over its treatment of women, gays and minorities.
On Tuesday, it appears the Trinidad and Tobago-born songstress, who often performs in her underwear, bowed to pressure, announcing: ‘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,’ Minaj said in a statement.
The artist was originally scheduled to headline the concert on July 18.
The Human Rights Foundation issued a statement last week, calling for Minaj and other performers to pull out of the show.
In Saudi Arabia, gender segregation between single men and women is still enforced in many restaurants, coffee shops, public schools and universities.
Click here for more.
SOURCE: Daily Mail – Rod Ardehali
BCNN1 WP 