Avril Lavigne show to go ahead in conservative Malaysia!!!
WHAT?! This is so confusing... Apparently the Aug 29 Malaysia concert is still going ahead.
Avril Lavigne show to go ahead in conservative Malaysia, says manager McBride
TORONTO - It seems that Avril Lavigne is not too sexy for Malaysia, after all.
Lavigne's manager, Terry McBride, said Thursday that Canada's punky pop princess is going ahead with her pink-hued show in the conservative country, despite media reports that have suggested otherwise.
"We're going ahead with the concert," McBride said from Vancouver.
"I think the media has made a whole lot of nonsense out of absolutely nothing and has gone on speculation and gossip," he said of recent reports that the performance had been canned.
"We've been respecting the process and making sure we have all the proper permits."
Meanwhile, reports from the region continue to cite that Malaysia's Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry has refused to permit the Aug. 29 show in Kuala Lumpur because it was "too sexy". Others complained that it was scheduled too close to the country's day of independence, on Aug. 31.
Variety reported Wednesday that the government asked that a new date be chosen for the show but none had been set. Earlier reports had said the show had been cancelled outright.
McBride would not comment on whether the date had been changed. The tour schedule on Lavigne's website still lists the Kuala Lumpur show as taking place Aug. 29.
Lavigne told MTV News on Thursday that she plans to put on a good performance for her Malaysian fans.
"I've already sold 10,000 tickets there, so I will be going to put on a concert for the fans," Lavigne said in the interview, posted at mtv.com.
While insisting Thursday that the show will go on, McBride refused to say whether Lavigne would have to change her attire or set list in accordance with the country's strict Islamic culture.
Malaysia requires all performers to wear clothes without obscene or drug-related images and be covered from the chest to the knees. They must also refrain from jumping, shouting, hugging and kissing on stage.
Last year, R&B singer Beyonce moved her show from Malaysia to Indonesia, and Christina Aguilera skipped the country on an Asian tour after a controversy erupted over the dress code.
McBride said Lavigne has developed a sizable Asian fanbase by honouring their customs.
"The reason why Avril is huge in Asia is she's respectful to the culture," he said.
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