14 DAY TRIAL // Selena Gomez has been banned from performing in Russia because authorities consider her too gay-friendly, which doesn’t sit well with Putin’s anti-gay law. Organizers had to scrape two performances scheduled for later this month.
A publicist for the star tells E! News that Selena was booked to perform at St. Petersburg’s Ice Palace on September 23 and Moscow’s Olimiisky stadium on September 25.
She applied for the visa to prepare for traveling to Russia but, to her surprise, it was denied.
“Organizers cited Russia’s new anti-gay law as one of the reasons for Gomez’s rejection, since Russian authorities have been tightening travel restrictions for performers who speak out in favor of gay rights. A rep for Gomez now tells E! News she’s not going to Russia,” the celebrity publication says.
Selena hasn’t yet spoken out on the canceled gigs, but her fans in Russia must be heartbroken that they won’t be getting the chance to catch her live – either now or ever, or at least for as long as the anti-gay law stands.