Dua Lipa says that she's not performing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The pop star cleared up the confusion on her Instagram Story, Sunday, while citing human rights concerns regarding Qatar.
"There is currently a lot of speculation that I will be performing at the opening ceremony of the world cup in Qatar," she began.
She added: "I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform. I will be cheering England on from afar and I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup.”
With a spotlight shining on Qatar due to the World Cup, the country's treatment of migrant workers and its anti-gay laws have drawn significant backlash. Being homosexual in the country is reportedly illegal and punishable by death.
Dua Lipa has been vocal in speaking out against human rights abuses at several points in her career. In 2021, she was criticized by many for her unwavering support of Palestinians. She also brought attention to security guards kicking fans out of a show for waving LGBTQ flags in Shanghai in 2018.
Lipa isn't the only artist to refuse to play in Qatar. Additionally, Rod Stewart announced that he rejected an offer to perform at the event.
“I turned it down. It’s not right to go," he told The Sunday Times. "And the Iranians should be out too for supplying arms.”
The World Cup opening ceremony is scheduled for November 20.
Check out Dua Lipa's statement on Instagram below.
[Via]
