February 10th, 2009
In a move unsurprising to anyone following the news lately, TMZ reports that event organizers in Malaysia have postponed a concert Rihanna was set to put on this week.
"Recent events involving Rihanna" is the reason given by those in charge, who stress that the show is only delayed and will go on at some point in the next two weeks.
Rihanna is the alleged victim in an attack by her boyfriend, Chris Brown. The couple reportedly had an argument late Saturday night after attending a pre-Grammy party at Clive Davis’, which resulted in the cops being called and Chris’ arrest. He has since posted $50,000 bail.
August 19th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff
Avril Lavigne’s Malaysian fans are going to have to wait to see her live, after her show was deemed “too sexy” by the country’s Muslim majority. The country’s Arts, Culture and Heritage ministry canceled the Aug. 29 performance amid protests from the youth wing of a fundamentalist opposition group, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party.
Grammy-nominee Avril had scheduled the concert in Kuala Lumpur to kick off her Asian tour. However the date falls two days before Malaysia’s independence day celebrations, a fact that contributed to the ministry’s decision, according to the Associated Press.
“It is not timely. It’s not in the good spirit of our National Day. If we go ahead with the concert, it is contrary to what we are preparing for,” said Shukran Ibrahim, a senior official from the ministry.
Other artists have had trouble with Malaysia’s rules, which include no jumping, shouting, hugging or kissing on stage. Performers must also be dressed from chest to knee. Last year Beyonce moved a concert from Malaysia to Indonesia, and Christina Aguilera skipped the country all together during her Asian tour.
“We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models,” said Kamarulzaman Mohamed, a party youth official.
August 18th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff
There could be a slight hiccup in Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne’s upcoming concert tour of Asia — It looks like some folks in Malaysia aren’t too happy with her planned stop-over in the city of Kuala Lumpur.
"It is considered too sexy for us," explains Kamarulzaman Mohamed, a representative of the country’s Pan-Malaysian Islamic party. "It’s not good for viewers in Malaysia… We don’t want our people, our teenagers, influenced by their performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models.’
Avril had been scheduled to play Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 29, but that date could now be in jeopardy. According to the Associated Press, members of the Culture Ministry will be meeting tomorrow to discuss whether or not to go forward with the concert.
August 24th, 2007
After protests and outrages by the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students for Gwen Stefani to cancel her shows in Malaysia, this week the show actually went on as planned.
Except, Gwen had to be covered up and not perform in usually skimpier costumes. She was also not allowed to jump, shout, hug or kiss audience members.
But, it’s like they say: the show must go on!
