Katy Perry pulls out of Alibaba’s Singles’ Day launch gala
‘Family emergency’ forces pop star to cancel trip
China’s largest online retailer Alibaba, the owner of South China Morning Post, has confirmed that pop star Katy Perry has cancelled her appearance at Thursday night’s annual Singles’ Day launch event in Shenzhen – a star-studded entertainment gala intended to kick-start the country’s biggest online-shopping day of the year.
“As a result of a family emergency, Katy Perry has announced she has had to cancel her appearance at this year’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival Gala,” said Alibaba representatives.
“Alibaba and all her fans in China are naturally very disappointed. We would like to send Katy our best wishes at this difficult time, and hope that we can see her in China soon.”
Perry, who was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton during this week’s US election, said: “Regretfully, I must cancel my appearance on the Alibaba Double 11 due to a family emergency. I am very sorry to disappoint my fans and look forward to seeing you in China soon.”
Perry attracted attention this week, with her tweeting during the US election.
“We will never be silenced” she said on “LOVETRUMPSHATE”, after the result on Wednesday, which was trending on Twitter among people who are anti-Donald Trump.
Perry was to have headlined the concert as a “global ambassador” alongside fellow recording artists One Republic, and other star guests including basketball legend Kobe Bryant, and former England football captain and Real Madrid star David Beckham.
Joe Tsai, executive vice chairman of Alibaba Group, said: “I have just heard...for personal reasons at last minute she can’t make it.
“But this event is not just about one performer it’s about a lot of international stars coming together to celebrate Singles’ Day. There won’t be any negative impact for consumers. It is going be a lot of fun.”