Beyonce’s $24M Private Performance Is Slammed for Dubai’s Anti-LGBTQ Policies

Despite a highly successful and much-talked-about comeback album, Beyonce is now facing criticism and huge backlash for accepting the controversial $24 million paycheck for that one-night performance at the newly inaugurated Atlantis the Royal in Dubai last Saturday.

Beyonce’s performance in the city casts a vast and questionable shadow over the Grammy-winning singer’s open support for the LGBTQ+ community. Remember that the United Arab Emirates has very strong anti-LGBTQ policies in place.

Bev Jackson, the co-founder of LGB Alliance, shared with The Telegraph last Sunday, “Beyonce is a huge icon for many gay people. The LGB Alliance is deeply disappointed that Beyoncé has agreed to give a lucrative concert in Dubai, where same-sex sex acts are a criminal offense, potentially punishable by death.”

The 41-year-old Houston native’s performance in Dubai was her first full live concert in four years. And it was a night to remember for the esteemed guests in the new facility. While efforts were made to prevent the exclusive concert from being filmed and shared online—phones were prohibited in the venue—clips still emerged over the weekend.

According to reports, Beyonce was hoisted 16 feet up in the air during her performance at the Atlantis, the Royal’s Skyblaze fountain. Beyonce also sang onstage with her 11-year-old daughter Blue Ivy. The mother-daughter tandem performed Brown Skin Girl. 

Many fans have been left wondering why the Crazy in Love singer agreed to put on an exclusive show under the controversial stand of UAE against the LGBTQ+ community. And after such a long hiatus, too. It’s not that Beyonce needed that paycheck.

One user tweeted, “When you’re that rich largely, if not entirely, through the fierce loyalty of LGBTQ+ fans – what amount of money is simply too much to turn down to perform in a homophobic country?”

Another Twitter user posted, “Beyoncé isn’t an LGBTQ+ ally when she’s performing for money in Dubai, and she doesn’t need a penny of it.”

Beyonce has been one of the most influential supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, but now her intentions and advocacy are being questioned. A fan even challenged the singer—who dedicated her Renaissance album to the LGBTQ+ community and her late uncle Jonny—if she was a faithful ally of the community, given that her recent decision and performance show otherwise.

The tweet says, “So wait, lemme get this straight. “@Beyonce comes out with a whole album dedicated to the LGBTQ community and then goes to perform for the first time in years in Dubai?! The same Dubai that’s vehemently homophobic…?”

Supporters were brutally honest in their takes, and many of them believe that Beyonce—nor anybody else—can call themselves a supporter if they accept money from a country that kills people for their sexuality and gender preferences.

And what’s sad is many are also accusing the performer that the fat paycheck made her forget what she truly believes in. Money can really show the true ideals of a person.

As of date, Beyonce has not released any statement about the performance or the backlash surrounding it.