Taylor Swift sparks war of words between Asian countries as The Philippines and Thailand round on Singapore for ‘paying the singer $3M PER SHOW to not perform anywhere else in the region’

Taylor Swift is the most popular woman in the world, so it should come as no surprise that neighboring countries are preparing to duke it out over a small country’s exclusivity on her Eras Tour performance.

Politicians in the Philippines and Thailand are speaking out about a deal struck by Singapore that limits Swift’s Eras Tour in Southeast Asia to just the wealthy city-state.

The 34-year-old singer, who is currently in the middle of her sold-out six shows in Singapore, became awarded a grant to perform in the country.

But it will be her only stop in Southeast Asia.

A deal was reportedly struck by Singaporean authorities banning Taylor from performing in other areas in the region, on the assumption that Swifties would be forced to flock to Singapore.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the Singapore deal makes sense as he has long wondered why Swift has disparaged Thailand

The Prime Minister of Thailand, one of the countries belittled by Swift’s one-stop island hopping, told the iBusiness Forum 2024, held recently in Bangkok, that the Singaporean government has offered Swift you $3 million per show in exchange for the exclusivity of the Eras Tour. .

Philippine politician Joey Salceda also speaks out about the perceived economic weakness. He has called on his country’s foreign ministry to protest the subsidy awarded to Swift.

He told local media that the governments of neighboring countries are meant to be allies, working together to strengthen the region and that the deal struck by Singapore is a painful betrayal.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called Singapore’s move “devious”, adding that he had long wondered why Swift had not chosen to play in Thailand.

“If she had come to Thailand, it would have been cheaper to organize it here, and I think she could attract more sponsors and tourists to Thailand,” he said.

“Even if we had to subsidize at least 500 million baht ($14 million USD), it would be worth it.

‘If I had known this, I would have brought the shows to Thailand. Concerts can provide added value to the economy.’

The Singaporean shows are likely to be a boon to the economy. Swift has sold out six nights at the 55,000-seat National Stadium this month.

Singapore’s Tourism Board and Ministry of Culture did not reveal the amount of the subsidy, but referred to the economic benefits brought by Swift’s concerts around the world.

They said the ministry had worked with concert promoter AEG Presents to have Swift perform in Singapore.

Philippine lawmaker Joey Salceda said the Singapore government’s deal with Swift was a betrayal by a government meant to work with other regional powers.

Singapore’s tourism board and the Ministry of Culture did not reveal the amount of the subsidy, but pointed to the economic benefits that Swift’s concerts bring around the world.

Swift fans are coming to Singapore from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, for Swift’s Eras Tour stop

Swift will perform at Singapore’s National Stadium from March 2 to 9

More than 300,000 tickets were sold to fans who waited overnight in the tropical heat

“It is likely to bring significant benefits to Singapore’s economy, especially for tourism activities such as hospitality, retail, travel and dining, as has happened in other cities where Taylor Swift has performed,” they said in a statement released last Tuesday.

Since the end of the pandemic lockdowns, Singapore has seen a boom in concert attendance, with big names like Blackpink, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran playing sold-out shows.

The Singapore government has not commented on the exclusivity clause, although AEG has said Swift’s only concert stop in Southeast Asia will take place on the island, with VIP tickets priced at S$1,228 (AUD$1,395).

On the wider Asian continent, Swift also performed in Tokyo earlier in February.

Her concerts in Singapore will take place from March 2 to 9.

More than 300,000 tickets were sold to fans who queued overnight in the sweltering tropical heat.