Less than 48 hours after I started the opening ceremony of the first world tournament in the Middle East, there is no international music figure who wants to be a part of it. The issues surrounding Qatar have made it a complex venue and make its participants the target of cancellations, an issue that can cost any superstar the race today.
The inauguration is scheduled for November 20 at 9:00 am (Central Mexico), in which the host country will make a presentation before millions of viewers around the world that would reach 500 million viewers.
Rod Stewart turns down a million dollars
It’s a definite no. In a newspaper column The TimesRock legend Rod Stewart said on Tuesday that the small but very rich Gulf emirate had asked him to perform at the opening ceremony.
“They offered me a lot of money, more than a million dollars to play there 15 months ago. I refused. It’s not right to go,” said the 77-year-old British singer. The reason? “Respect for human rights in general”, including that of the LGBTQ community.
They offered me a lot of money, more than a million dollars to play there 15 months ago.
Like the song “The killing of Georgie,” written in 1976 about the murder of a gay boy. “It’s important because it means you can turn away money. This means that not everything is bought“, he continued.
Along the same lines, the group The Cure also reported that it will not perform in Qatar.
Dua Lipa denial
His name was also mentioned to sing at the opening ceremony, but the 27-year-old British pop star put the rumors to rest on his Instagram account, where he has more than 87 million followers.
Once this country respects all human rights commitments
“I will not be performing and have not been involved in any negotiations to go and perform in Qatar,” the “Levitating” singer wrote, without specifying that she will be supporting the England team.
“I am looking forward to visiting Qatar once this country respects all human rights commitments,” he added.
Shakira resigns
The Colombian singer has not confirmed her presence either, but rumors abound. It stands out that Shakira, recently separated from the soccer player Gérard Piqué, is a regular at World Cup events.
Shakirawho provided the official music for the South African edition in 2010 with “Waka Waka” (This Time for Africa) together with the South African group Freshlyground and, four years later, performed in Brazil with the hit “La La La”, no He will go to Qatar.
This was announced by sources close to him to the Spanish network Telecinco, without offering further details.
Lil Baby and others?
American rapper with more than 32 million monthly listeners on Spotify who collaborated with members of the British group Tears for Fears on one of the world’s soundtracks, “The World is yours to take”, he is silent about his presence in Doha.
The 27-year-old Atlanta native had indicated in late September on his social media that he intended to go to Doha to attend the opening ceremony. Give up? The question is in the air.
Among those who have not denied or canceled their presence, is the Canadian actress and dancer Nora Fatehi. The name of robbie williamswho participated in the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Moscow in 2018. Just like Jungkook from the K-pop group BTS.