After "careful reflection," rap megastar Nicki Minaj has decided to pull out of the Jeddah World Fest in Saudi Arabia in support of women and LGBTQ rights.
"I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest," she told AP News. "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."
According to AP News, gender segregation is still enforced in Saudi Arabia in many public spaces, and only recently were women allowed to drive. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and those caught in acts of homosexuality or cross-dressing can be fined, publically whipped, beat, chemically castrated, or face life sentences in prison, vigilante attacks, torture, and execution.
The Human Rights Foundation praised Minaj for her decision.
"This is what leadership looks like," Thor Halvorssen, president of the HRF, said in a statement "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. 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."
Former One Direction member Liam Payne and DJ Steve Aoki are still listed on the festival's July 18 lineup. Enrique Iglesias, the Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, David Guetta, and Tiesto are other names who have previously performed in the Kingdom.
