Jennifer Lopez is facing backlash after she was allegedly paid to attend and perform at the opening of a hotel in “anti-gay” Dubai on Saturday.
The 54-year-old superstar, long considered an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, caused a stir after she “pocketed $5 million” for her presence at the opening of the One&Only One Za’abeel hotel, according to Sun.
The luxury hotel is located in the United Arab Emirates, which has strict laws against homosexuality, and consensual same-sex sexual activity is punishable by imprisonment.
On her Instagram Stories, Jennifer posted a clip from the star-studded shindig, where she wowed on stage in a dazzling purple jumpsuit and performed alongside Mark Ronson for a crowd that included Vanessa Hudgens and Idris Elba.
“It’s very sad that a long-time LGBTQ ally like Jennifer Lopez is willing to put money before human rights,” gay rights activist Peter Tatche told the outlet.
Jennifer Lopez is facing backlash after she was allegedly paid to attend and perform at the opening of a hotel in “anti-gay” Dubai on Saturday.
The 54-year-old superstar, long considered an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, caused a stir after she ‘pocketed $5 million’ for her presence at the opening of the One&Only One Za’abeel hotel, according to The Sun.
“Her actions will collude with the regime’s homophobia, misogyny, and widespread human rights abuse; that’s not the kind of thing Jennifer Lopez supports. She shouldn’t go.
She went on to claim that the Dubai regime is “using her to project a more liberal image.”
“It is a cynical exercise and it is shameful that she accepts it.”
Before the mini-concert, JLo arrived at Aelia restaurant at the One Za’abeel urban resort wearing a black satin Giambattista Valli dress.
She was joined by other luminaries such as Jessica Debruyne, boxer Ramla Ali, Georgia Coleridge and Chanel Ayán.
Following their red carpet appearance, celebrities gathered at a private sky event hosted at The Link, Dubai’s newly established lifestyle destination suspended 100 meters above the ground’s skyline.
The reaction doesn’t seem to match JLo’s reputation as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
In 2019, when administrators banned gay teenager Nat Werth from giving a valedictory speech at his graduation upon learning he intended to address his sexuality, she extended an invitation to him to attend one of her shows in Milwaukee.
The Dubai hotel is located in the United Arab Emirates, which has strict laws against homosexuality, and consensual same-sex sexual activity is punishable by imprisonment.
On her Instagram Stories, Jennifer posted a clip from the star-studded shindig, where she wowed on stage in a dazzling purple jumpsuit and performed alongside Mark Ronson for a crowd that included Vanessa Hudgens and Idris Elba.
“It’s very sad that a long-time LGBTQ ally like Jennifer Lopez is willing to put money before human rights,” gay rights activist Peter Tatche told the outlet.
The reaction doesn’t seem to match JLo’s reputation as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
López blows a kiss to the audience after receiving the 2013 Ally for Equality Award at the Human Rights Campaign’s 17th National Dinner in Washington on October 5, 2013.
In 2014, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) honored her with the Vanguard Award for her dedicated advocacy for gay rights.
That same year he expressed his support in a tweet celebrating the legalization of gay marriage.
‘Congratulations England and Wales. Gay marriage is legal today,” she wrote.
This is not the first time Jennifer has performed in Dubai.
In March 2024, the singer gave an epic concert there during the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse.
“Thank you Dubai for an amazing night #Meydan #DWC14,” he tweeted after the show.