
Where's the international love for Beyonce Knowles?
Apparently the pop sensation continues to catch flack and be at odds with the global community despite canceling her recent concert in Malaysia last Fall due to her sexual image.
This time, Forbes magazine's top-earning celebrity is causing an uproar within the Caribbean region due to her upcoming concert on Feb. 18 at the Trinidadian carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.
Being the proactive artist that she is, the 'Single Ladies' singer also has a show scheduled in Port-of-Spain on the same day as the carnival, which is sponsored by local and government owned phone company TSTT. The company is also co-owned by global telecoms giant Cable & Wireless.
Although the average price range for carnival show tickets range from $71 to $253, local show organizers are apprehensive that the event will put a hole in the pockets of "all carnival stakeholders" between the country's two cell phone providers and wash out Soca music in support of pop music.
"We have nothing against Beyonce," says the former chief of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation Gregory Fernandes. "We are just saying that it is insensitive to bring her at this time. It will affect all carnival stakeholders." According to BBC News, a dissatisfied reader lashed out in a column for the Trinidad & Tobago Express, expressing the mobile giant's decision to promote pop superstars as opposed to local talent. "Our culture of carnival is on the way out," the reader proclaimed. "What used to be the greatest show on earth is playing second fiddle to another people's culture."
To dispute the outraged reader's criticism, TSTT officials claim that they are more than willing to support local soca gigs and artists. In fact, the company was on board to sponsor popular carnival concert, Soca in B-Square, before canceling due to the unavailability of Soca superstar Machel Montano.
However, rival mobile phone provider Digicel has decided to go against TSTT's grain and support local talent instead of notable international stars such as the 10-time Grammy Award winner.
In speaking with Trinidad Guardian newspaper, Digicel's communications manager, Penny Gomez, revealed that his company was originally asked to fork over $1 million for Beyonce's appearance fee, not to mention the additional cost of the concert's production, which could've amounted up to $5.2 million.
"We have an appreciation for what is local, so we have not sought to go overseas," she declared, noting that the company didn't have "a limitless public purse from which to draw."
A spokesperson for TSTT commented on Digicel's claims stating that the company doesn't have Digicel's limitations of being unable to support international and local concerts, and their own plan to host the Beyonce show was solely based on a "sound business decision."


Comments: (26)
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By: Lanny LaNoah on 1/26/2010 1:56PM
I think it is awful to say such nasty things about someone you do not know personally. I beleive if you were offered a million dollars to dance,sing , act are tell jokes most of you would do it.Also if you don't like someone that is fine,but to say ugly things about them that is sad to me.
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By: CarolS on 1/23/2010 10:54AM
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I think Beyonce is great, and I do not think that she deserves the NASTY things being said about her. Who would not take a million dollars that was offered to him/her. She is an ENTERTAINER who has a style of her own. If you feel that she is not your flavor, then DONT GO SEE HER. She has more than her share of fans, and she wont lose any sleep if she loses a few.
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By: LisaH on 1/23/2010 8:14AM
The only performer right now I would see perform live and pay top dollar for is Fantasia. I seen Fantasia perform live and she just blew me away. Beyonce is an overrated singer and performer. Her light skin and perceived beauty by the mainstream press is why Beyonce is successful.
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By: the negotiator on 1/23/2010 9:25AM
LO, Well said! I really have to agree with you on this one.
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By: Gail on 2/04/2010 2:51PM
Beyonce Knowles's $1mil appearance in Trinidad in the height of the national& cultural season of carnival is most insensitive.Firstly, I blame TSTT,for having no form of national allegiance, or,pride. Beyonce and her crew should rather be visiting T&T to expereince our culture and take a holiday. Nations such as Brazil, Jamaica, Haiti,USA,China, to name a few,will never make these preferences. They have national pride. A word to Beyonce who seems to exibit some sort of decency. You're a buisness-woman,yes. But don"t be a "culture vulture." "Trinidad Is My Land And Of It I Am Proud And Glad." Welcome
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