Featured image credit: Mason Poole/ CC BY 4.0/ Edited for size
Beyoncé has performed a concert for the first time in over four years at Atlantis The Royal, a luxury hotel resort in Dubai.
The appearance has been deemed controversial due to the country’s laws around same-sex relationships, and the fact the singer reportedly received $24m (£19.4m/€22.1m) to perform.
According to a report from the Guardian, Beyoncé played a 19-song set in a 1,500-seat venue.
Attendees were asked to store their phones in locked pouches to prevent footage of Beyoncé performing being put online. Despite this, videos from the event still appeared on the internet.
The performance due comparisons to the situation with ex-footballer David Beckham, who acted as an ambassador for last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He faced criticism from many in the LGBTQI+ community, including British comedian Joe Lycett.
However, drag queen Kitty Scott-Claus – who appeared on season three of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK – noted that Beyoncé was facing less backlash compared to Beckham.
Kitty Scott-Claus said in a post on Twitter: “Hi I have a question.. can someone explain why everyone was cancelling David Beckham the other month but now celebrating Beyoncé for performing in Dubai? One rule for one and one for another?”
Hi I have a question.. can someone explain why everyone was cancelling David Beckham the other month but now celebrating Beyoncé for performing in Dubai? One rule for one and one for another?
— Kitty Scott-Claus (@kittyscottclaus) January 22, 2023
Share this