SOHH SOULFUL
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Rihanna To Cover Up For Malaysia Show, Follows Gwen Stefani's Lead
Posted on January 6, 2009 12:10 PM
Rihanna's become just as noticed for sporting her onstage uniform of latex, leather and bondage getup as she's for the designer duds she wears to special events, but the singer is planning to clean up her act for an upcoming show in Malaysia.
Per the Associated Press concert organizers announced today that Rihanna will follow the requirements set by the Muslim-majority country's strict rules on performers' dress. Under government guidelines, a female performer must be covered from the top of her chest, including her shoulders, to her knees.
Rihanna's management is "aware of the country's regulations and the difficulties of doing a show," Razman Razali, managing director of Pineapple Concerts said.
The issue is definitely not a small one. Organizers of a Pussycat Dolls concert in 2006 were fined nearly $3,000 after the group was accused of flouting decency regulations. (C'mon now, the group is a spinoff of a burlesque act -- they had to know they were asking for trouble there!). Recent concerts by Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne faced protests by conservative Muslim Malaysians over immodest clothes. Stefani eventually made what she called "a major sacrifice" at her show by wearing costumes that revealed very little skin.
Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad" tour stops in Kuala Lumpur stadium on February 13th. Tickets for the 16,000 seat stadium are selling well so far despite the controversy. Personally I think entertainers have to respect the laws of the places they visit, just as concert organizers have to follow performers riders. Anybody remember back when Bobby Brown used to get arrested for lewd dancing at some of his shows? All I know is Rihanna better be careful. Those countries do not play when it comes to punishment. Can you imagine what would happen if a 'nipplegate' happened over there???? Oh forget a fine...
That would probably result in being caned. Maybe if we had laws like that over here it might make things more difficult for some of those not-so-talented ( I won't name names but you know who I mean) stars who rely on their bodies and skimpy clothes for attention.
If you haven't heard it yet Rihanna teamed up with Chris Brown and Polow Da Don for a new song "Bad Girl".
I see she's planning to continue to work the hell out of that 'Bad Girl' angle in 2009 -- Malaysia aside. Meanwhile, Chris Brown was interviewed by Billboard about his album and songwriting work and he made zero objections when the magazine asked if he'd include a duet with his girlfriend on his next project. I guess they are closer to admitting they're together.
LOL. Sorry I just had to laugh because I pictured them as this decade's Ashford & Simpson. Do you like the new song though? It's just aight to me, but you know how radio works. If they make it a single we'll probably all be singing along in no time. That's it for now. Talk to me y'all!
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