Queen Bey made her on-stage return, but some aren’t happy that it was in Dubai.
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00:00Beyoncé returned to the stage for her first live performance in more than four years,
00:04but we need to talk about why some fans are unhappy it took place in Dubai.
00:08The singer reportedly received $24 million to headline a private concert,
00:12marking the opening of luxury resort Atlantis the Royal. Despite a strict no-phone policy at
00:16the 1,500-person private event, footage taken by invited influencers and journalists flooded the
00:21internet. Her hour-long set didn't include any songs from her latest album, Renaissance,
00:25which directly draws influence from black queer culture. But some fans question the decision for
00:30her to make her grand return in the United Arab Emirates, where homosexuality is illegal
00:34and could be punishable by death. Other artists such as Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj have
00:39previously been called on by fans to cancel concerts in countries with similar anti-LGBTQ
00:44plus laws. But not all fans have been critical. Some noted that Beyoncé was paid by a business
00:49for a private event rather than the government to promote the country.