Robbie Williams reacts to backlash after agreeing to perform at Qatar 2022 opening ceremony
He has defended his decision to perform during the World Cup after a highly controversial performance in Qatar, claiming it would be ‘hypocritical’ not to take part.
His comments come after stars such as Dua Lipa, Rod Stewart and Shakira confirmed they would boycott the pageant’s opening ceremony.
Williams has been criticized for his World Cup performance despite international condemnation of Qatar’s human rights record, including the criminalization of homosexuality and links to Islamic extremism.
The former Take That member argued that it would be a mistake not to perform because of human rights concerns. This is because he had already performed in countries with unsavory regimes.
The former Take That member argued that it would be a mistake not to perform because of human rights concerns. This is because he had already performed in countries with unsavory regimes.
He added that if he refused to sing in places where human rights were abused, he said: ‘I wouldn’t even be able to sing in my kitchen’.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Venerdì di Repubblica, Williams said: “Of course, I do not condone any abuse of human rights anywhere.”
“That being said, if we don’t condone human rights abuses anywhere, then it would be the shortest tour the world has ever known. I wouldn’t even be able to perform in my kitchen.”
He added: “Anyone who leaves messages saying ‘No to Qatar’ is doing so on Chinese technology. It would be hypocritical of me not to go [to Qatar] because of the places I go to.”
“I think the hypocrisy is that if we take this case in this country, we should apply it unilaterally to the world. Then if we apply this unilaterally to the world, nobody can go anywhere.”
Williams’ self-defense sparked an angry reaction online, with many people condemning his decision to perform in Qatar and his reasons for doing so, while others posted jokes on social media mocking the singer.
