NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) – Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Future and Tyga have been added to the lineup for the Jeddah World Fest, the controversial concert in Saudi Arabia that Nicki Minaj recently pulled out of due of human rights concerns.
Minaj has said that she chose not to participate in the event in order to show her support for women’s rights, gay rights and freedom of expression.
The Human Rights Foundation and other organizations praised the rapper’s decision, and have asked other artists not to perform in Saudi Arabia, where gender segregation between single men and women is still enforced in many restaurants, coffee shops, public schools and universities.
Over the past several months, artists including Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias, the Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, David Guetta and Tiesto have all performed in the kingdom.
Thor Halvorssen, president of the Human Rights Foundation, criticized the entertainers in a statement Thursday to The Associated Press, saying it was “profoundly distressing that they have chosen money over morals.”
The event is part of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent campaign to usher in a series of reforms, including opening the kingdom’s first movie theater and lifting the world’s only ban on women driving.
The festival is scheduled to take place Thursday (July 18) at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium. Previously announced performers include Liam Payne and Steve Aoki.
