Jennifer Lopez has faced backlash for her performance in Dubai, where homosexuality is illegal, despite her longstanding support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The singer was invited to perform at the opening of a luxury hotel over the weekend, alongside other celebrities such as Idris Elba, Naomi Campbell, and Vanessa Hudgens. Reports suggest she was paid approximately $5 million for her appearance.
Dubai, a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, has some of the strictest laws against LGBTQ+ rights globally, with same-sex sexual activity punishable by imprisonment, and even capital punishment permitted for married individuals.
Critics slammed Lopez for performing in Dubai, accusing her of prioritizing financial gain over human rights. LGBTQ+ rights activist Peter Tatchell condemned her decision, stating that it colluded with the regime’s homophobic policies.
Despite this, Lopez has been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community in the past. She received the GLAAD Vanguard Award in 2014 and has advocated for equal marriage rights. Additionally, she released a song in tribute to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, in 2016.
Similar criticism was directed at Beyoncé when she performed in Dubai last year, earning $24 million. However, she was defended by RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Ts Madison, who argued that she was simply securing her earnings.
While some fans expressed disappointment, others defended Lopez and Beyoncé, highlighting their past support for the LGBTQ+ community and suggesting that their performances in Dubai were business decisions.
