In a recent press conference, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed concerns regarding the exclusive arrangement made with Taylor Swift, stating that it was not intended to be detrimental to neighboring South-East Asian countries. The exclusive deal involved Singapore being the sole stop for Taylor Swift’s world tour in the region, which was financed by a government initiative aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector post-COVID-19. The exact cost of the deal was not disclosed during the press conference.
During a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong defended the arrangement and emphasized its success. He stated that the deal with the global pop sensation was mutually beneficial and should not be perceived as unfriendly towards other nations. Prime Minister Albanese, an admirer of Taylor Swift, also expressed support for the exclusive arrangement.
The exclusive deal with Taylor Swift came after her successful tour in Australia, where an estimated 600,000 people attended her live performances in Melbourne and Sydney. However, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong clarified that Singapore’s arrangement with the singer was not intended to compete with Australia’s own engagement with her.
The announcement of the exclusive deal with Swift elicited discontent from other countries in the region. Thailand’s Prime Minister expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the support given to Swift was contingent upon Singapore being her only show location in South-East Asia. A politician from the Philippines also criticized the deal, claiming that it did not align with the conduct expected of good neighbors. However, Singapore’s government justified the support by emphasizing the economic benefits brought by Swift’s concerts worldwide due to her immense popularity.
Although Taylor Swift’s representative has not issued a response regarding the exclusive deal, there is high anticipation surrounding her six sold-out shows in Singapore. The Eras Tour, to which the exclusive deal pertains, has been incredibly successful, reportedly exceeding $US1 billion in earnings last year. Additionally, the film adaptation of the tour achieved remarkable success, becoming the highest-grossing concert film to date.
Overall, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reiterated that the exclusive agreement with Taylor Swift had proven to be a successful endeavor and was not intended to create animosity with neighboring countries. The unfolding of the situation in the coming months as Swift’s tour progresses is yet to be seen.
Source: Reuters/AP
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