Everyone knows a Mariah Carey song no matter how old you are. The diva is a legend and if you had the chance, wouldn’t you go see her live? No doubt about it.
The multi award winning singer and song writer (and bona fide diva and pop cultural icon – she is the star of some of the most amazing memes and GIFS of all time) is the highest profile star to perform in the Kingdom since entertainment restrictions.
“I’m so happy to see you guys all together tonight,” Mariah said to the crowd at the Bay La Sun resort in King Abdullah Economic City when she first greeted them.
The same stage welcomed DJ Tiesto, Sean Paul and Yemenie singer Balqees Fathi last night, but it was Mariah who really made headlines around the world and of course backlash for choosing to preform there.
Mariah has been criticised by women’s rights activists and campaigners along with a lot of the public (on Twitter – where else really?) for choosing to perform in the country that has a poor human rights record.
Mariah decided to ignore (she’s sort of notorious for ignoring things…) responding directly to calls to boycott the concert or address the issue or respond to tweets such as the one below.
Does @MariahCarey know that #Saudi imprisons & tortures activists? Does she know know that Saudi uses entertainment 2 showcase fake reforms & 2 distract from their countless human rights abuses. Help us urge MC 2 reconsider performing in Saudi. #BoycottSaudi & sign the petition:
— Ms Saffaa (@MsSaffaa) January 28, 2019
As a (kind of) response, Mariah’s publicists told the Associated Pressthat, (when) “presented with the offer to perform for an international and mixed gender audience in Saudi Arabia, Mariah accepted the opportunity as a positive step towards the dissolution of gender segregation”. Her team also said: “As the first female international artist to perform in Saudi Arabia, Mariah recognises the cultural significance of this event and will continue to support global efforts towards equality for all.” And that Mariah “looks forward to bringing inspiration and encouragement to all audiences.’ Based on the Twitters reaction during and since the concert, that’s exactly what Mariah has done – the emancipation of Mimi in Saudi will go down in the history’s entertainment and pop culture emergence. Below are some highlights we found for you guys on Twitter.
Mariah Carey in Saudi Arabia now ! Welcome Mariah 💋❤❤❤ #MariahCarey #SaudiArabia #Lambily pic.twitter.com/pZ4U3O0Rmv — Walid Salama (@walidxsalama) January 31, 2019
#MariahCarey #SaudiArabia #alwaysbemybaby pic.twitter.com/pIANZd4gy4
— Walid Salama (@walidxsalama) January 31, 2019
#MariahCarey@MariahCarey is on🔥 here in 😍 #Saudi pic.twitter.com/W5f2XQlKbi — LaMaa (@lammaaaX) January 31, 2019
Mariah Carey performing Make it happen in Saudi Arabia 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/RIfLiLa5u0
— _ (@lana_banana0_0) January 31, 2019
She did amazing job 😍😍😍 We glad she made it for the first time in Saudi Arabia #MariahCarey Hope we have her again and again ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Bq45uJAIDr — Noha (@Noha2F) January 31, 2019
@MariahCarey it was a great night in saudi a arabia we love u 💜 pic.twitter.com/3VKSSEG9S8
— . (@rooofa900) January 31, 2019
