Singapore accused of ‘hurting’ Philippines with Taylor Swift exclusivity deal

Last updated on March 4th, 2024 at 08:20 pm

Singapore has been accused of ‘hurting’ the Philippines by offering a lucrative grant to American pop star Taylor Swift, allegedly on the condition that she would not perform in any other Southeast Asian country during her Eras tour. 

The accusation was made by a Philippine lawmaker, who called on his government to formally protest the deal and question Singapore’s motives. The deal, which was confirmed by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), has also sparked criticism and disappointment among Swift’s fans in the region, who have to travel to Singapore to watch her concerts.

The Deal and the Accusation

Taylor Swift arrived in Singapore on Tuesday, and is set to perform six sold-out shows at the National Stadium from March 2 to 9, as part of her Eras tour, which celebrates her 10 studio albums. However, this will be her only stop in Southeast Asia, despite having a large fan base in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

The reason for this, according to a Thai media report, is that the Singapore government offered a grant of $2 million to $3 million per show to Swift’s promoter, AEG Presents, on the condition that Singapore would be the exclusive destination for her tour in the region. The report cited Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who claimed that AEG had informed him of the deal, and that he had rejected a counter-offer to host Swift’s concerts in Bangkok.

The report sparked outrage and disbelief among Swift’s fans in Southeast Asia, who expressed their frustration and sadness on social media, using hashtags such as #TaylorSwiftSEA and #BoycottSingapore. Some fans also accused Singapore of being selfish and greedy, and of depriving other countries of the opportunity to enjoy Swift’s music.

The report also drew the ire of a Philippine lawmaker, Joey Salceda, who chairs the House committee on ways and means. Salceda issued a statement on Wednesday, calling on the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to seek clarification from the Singaporean government about the alleged exclusivity agreement, and to formally protest the deal. Salceda said that the deal was ‘not what good neighbors do’, and that it ran contrary to the spirit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is based on consensus and solidarity. He also said that the deal would hurt the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with Singapore, and that the Philippines should not ‘just let things pass’.

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The Confirmation and the Defense

The STB and the MCCY confirmed on Wednesday that they had supported Swift’s concerts in Singapore, but did not disclose the amount or the terms of the grant. They said that the grant was part of their efforts to position Singapore as a leading destination for world-class entertainment and events, and to boost the tourism and creative sectors, which have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also said that the concerts would bring significant economic benefits to Singapore, as they expected more than 300,000 attendees, including 100,000 from overseas, who would spend on accommodation, food, transport, and shopping. They estimated that the concerts would generate more than $200 million in tourism receipts for Singapore.

They also defended the deal, saying that it was a common and legitimate practice in the global entertainment industry, and that it was not intended to harm or exclude any other country. They said that the deal was based on commercial considerations and mutual agreement between the promoter and the artist, and that they had no influence or control over Swift’s tour schedule or itinerary. They also said that they respected the sovereignty and rights of other countries, and that they hoped to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with them.

Singapore has been accused of ‘hurting’ the Philippines by offering a lucrative grant to American pop star Taylor Swift, allegedly on the condition that she would not perform in any other Southeast Asian country during her Eras tour. The accusation was made by a Philippine lawmaker, who called on his government to formally protest the deal and question Singapore’s motives. The deal, which was confirmed by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), has also sparked criticism and disappointment among Swift’s fans in the region, who have to travel to Singapore to watch her concerts.