Selena Gomez has had to cancel a series of concerts in Russia after reportedly being denied a visa.
Selena Gomez was forced to cancel two shows in Russia because she failed to obtain a work visa under the new stricter rules concerning 'anti-gay' laws. The tightened visa regime for musicians and performers was a direct response after Madonna and Lady Gaga used their concerts in Russia as a platform to voice their support for gay rights.
Gomez cancelled her scheduled shows in St. Petersburg and Moscow for Monday (23st) and Wednesday (25th) because she failed to receive her visa on time. Promoters for the upcoming concerts told the Moscow Times they believed it was because of Russia's anti-gay laws which ban "propaganda on nontraditional sexual relationships".
The concert have been removed from her tour website indicating that her next show will now be on the 27th September in Dubai.
The 'Come & Get It' singer will not be able to fulfil the request her fans signed a petition for. Before it was public knowledge that Gomez would not be able to perform in Russia her fans signed a petition launched by John Becker on Change.org asking her to speak out against Russia's anti-gay legislation whilst she was in the country.
The petition received around 13,800 signatures.
On Thursday (19th September 2013) Becker wrote on Belerico.com "Russian officials are undoubtedly anxious to avoid a repeat of recent concerts by fellow pop superstars Madonna and Lady Gaga, both of whom violated laws banning so-called 'gay propaganda' by making statements in favor of LGBT rights".
"The Russian government is clearly on edge and aware of the bruising its reputation has taken in the wake of their anti-LGBT crackdown", he added.
The anti-gay laws were signed off by President Putin back in July (2013) which includes the ban of gay couples adopting a child and outlaw any open discussion about homosexuality around infants.
Selena has just seen her song 'Come & Get It' go double platinum this year and is currently on the 'Stars Dance Tour' in support of her debut studio album 'Stars Dance'.
Selena Gomez has reportedly been denied a visa by Russia
While it's amusing and sometimes very funny, there's an air of desperation about this sequel...
Mac and Kelly's lives have moved forward a lot since the problems they had with...
Smart and snappy, this comedy is one of the scariest films of the year, using...
When Dr. Michael Burry discovered that the housing market in the US relied upon a...
Count Dracula seems to have really changed his ways, embracing humans and allowing them to...
Following on from the adventures in the Hotel Transylvania, in which Count Dracula (Adam Sandler)...
For a comedy that so desperately wants to be rude and sexy, this movie is...
The cast and crew of upcoming car action movie 'Getaway' demonstrate a few vehicular stunts...
Brent Magna is a former racing driver who discovers that his wife has been kidnapped...
Arthouse filmmaker Harmony Korine (Mister Lonely) comes dangerously close to making a mainstream movie with...
Four beautiful college girls; Brit, Faith, Candy and Cotty; live together in a college dorm...
When a bunch of tourists including American guy Gringo hit a party town in Chile,...
Eye-catching animation and non-stop jokes make this animated monster movie a lot more fun than...