Singapore's culture minister has addressed the rumors surrounding a grant awarded to Taylor Swift's promoter to secure the only performances in Southeast Asia of her record-breaking heiress tour. The controversy has stirred up some tension in the region.
Neighboring countries have expressed discontent over allegations that Singapore paid up to $3 million per show for an exclusive deal to host Taylor Swift and her blockbuster tour. The issue was brought to light when the Thai prime minister claimed that Singapore had secured an exclusive arrangement with Taylor Swift, prompting criticism from other countries in the region.
In response to the controversy, Singapore's culture minister clarified that the grant awarded to Taylor Swift was not as high as speculated. He emphasized that there was no confirmation of an exclusivity clause in the agreement.
The controversy has led to calls for transparency and accountability from neighboring countries. A lawmaker from the Philippines urged his country to seek an explanation from Singapore, stating that the deal may have disadvantaged other countries in the region.
Despite the controversy, Taylor Swift is set to perform six sold-out concerts in Singapore, attracting around 300,000 fans, with a significant portion coming from overseas. The concerts are expected to provide a substantial economic boost to Singapore, with concertgoers estimated to spend up to $370 million in the city-state.
