Singapore’s deal to ensure Taylor Swift doesn’t perform anywhere else in southeast Asia is not a hostile act, the city-state’s prime minister has said.
Swift is part-way through six sold-out shows at the 55,000-seat National Stadium and she won’t be making any further stops in the region thanks to an exclusive deal with Singapore.
The Singaporean government has not disclosed the details behind the deal, but Thailand’s prime minister claimed last month Swift was offered up to £2.4m per show in exchange for exclusivity.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday an “arrangement” was agreed for Swift to make the state her only performance in the region.
“It has turned out to be a very successful arrangement, I don’t see that as being unfriendly,” he told a press conference in Melbourne, where he is attending a regional summit.
Singapore’s government previously said it had given Swift a grant to play, without mentioning the terms.
The announcement has annoyed neighbouring countries in the region.
Last month, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavsin said promoter AEG informed him of the agreement that Swift will not do any other The Eras Tour shows in the Association of South East Asian Nations.
‘Not what good neighbours do’
“The Singapore government is astute,” Mr Srettha said, adding he had long been wondering why Swift had not performed in Thailand.
“If she came to Thailand, it would have been cheaper to organise it here, and I believe she would be able to attract more sponsors and tourists to Thailand.
“Concerts can generate added value for the economy,” he added.
A Filipino lawmaker, Joey Salceda, said it “isn’t what good neighbours do”.
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“Our countries are good friends, that’s why actions like that hurt,” he said, according to the Straits Times, which added he claimed Singapore’s move is detrimental to relations with Manila.
Last month, Singapore’s tourism board and culture ministry referred to the economic benefits brought by Swift’s concerts around the world due to her popularity.
