9 Bizzare Reasons Celebrities Were Forbidden From Countries
Occasionally, a famous person won't get on the wrong side of a studio head or network executive. They manage to enrage foreign government officials. As unbelievable as it may seem, a small number of famous people have been blacklisted throughout the entire country. China frequently comes up; the country has a brutal dictatorship and is quite stringent on the actions of its citizens and foreigners.
The Middle East is just like any other region, with its own culture, customs, and aversion to foreign influences. Certain prohibitions are always in effect. Even if some of the bans have been lifted, it is still a major event whenever it does happen and seems to increase the star's popularity. After all, it's quite a triumph to say you managed to piss off a whole nation.
Malaysia didn't welcome them, though. In 2007, they told Beyoncé that national rules required female artists to be covered from shoulder to knees with no cleavage showing. Beyoncé canceled the event after losing 98% of her clothing. In 2009, the Islamic leadership reprimanded her for "immorality." There are plenty of venues for her to rock out, so she doesn't mind.
Snoop trashed a London airport duty-free shop, so the U.K. banned him. Over time, nations have eased these restrictions so Snoop can visit. Norway is strict on past and present drug use. Snoop cannot enter that country despite his efforts. So Snoop can only learn about Viking culture through watching History.
China has banned Taiwanese emblems for longer than anybody can recall. Perry was denied a visa after wearing a sunflower dress, a symbol of Taiwan's liberation campaign. Gigi Hadid and other models were barred, too. Knowing Perry, she'll be eager to spread her style worldwide.
His songs and films promoting gun violence also irked them. Toronto MP Dan McTeague said, "I don't think urban centers need or desire Mr. Jackson's message right now." 50 Cent has remained a great success in the U.S. and worldwide and produced the hit show Power. The Great White North doesn't want him, though.
He was denied admission into the UK in 2010 before a world tour because of a major crime. In 2015, Australia was battling domestic abuse when Brown came for a tour. As he wouldn't have fit, the country denied him admittance. Two nations aren't as forgiving as the U.S. about Brown's actions.
Although it's unclear if Gomez would have done it, Russia refused her entry. She was barred from China a few months later. Photos from 2014 showed Gomez meeting the Dali Lama, a no-no for China. Selena crossed China and Russia off her list, but she continues to impress admirers with her talent.
They said anyone linked with the film, including Pitt, wouldn't be allowed in. Given Pitt's star power and film success, China relaxed the prohibition, and he could cross China off his list for nearly 20 years.
The authorities received numerous complaints about Gaga's provocative costumes and music and feared her show "would corrupt and destroy the nation's moral fiber." Gaga just kept going. China banned her after meeting the Dali Lama, a non grata in China. Because of the band, she wore this as a badge of honor to show how nothing stopped her attitude.
The Middle East is just like any other region, with its own culture, customs, and aversion to foreign influences. Certain prohibitions are always in effect. Even if some of the bans have been lifted, it is still a major event whenever it does happen and seems to increase the star's popularity. After all, it's quite a triumph to say you managed to piss off a whole nation.
9. Beyoncé: Malaysia
Source: Getty Images
No nation dislikes Queen Bey, despite her dominance. Beyoncé's musical performances showcase her stunning body. Beyoncé gives fans a spectacular display by dancing, singing, and flaunting. Even China and the Middle East are okay with her popularity and enjoy her shows' tourist attention.Malaysia didn't welcome them, though. In 2007, they told Beyoncé that national rules required female artists to be covered from shoulder to knees with no cleavage showing. Beyoncé canceled the event after losing 98% of her clothing. In 2009, the Islamic leadership reprimanded her for "immorality." There are plenty of venues for her to rock out, so she doesn't mind.
8. Snoop Dogg: Norway
Source: Getty Images
At his peak, it would have been easier to list the countries that banned Snoop Dogg. The rapper is famous for his slick style, hits, and drug use. His old behavior haunts him despite his improved demeanor. Snoop's numerous drug convictions and DUIs have made him a flight risk, and his passport is usually in cancelation. Formerly prohibited from the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and the Middle East.Snoop trashed a London airport duty-free shop, so the U.K. banned him. Over time, nations have eased these restrictions so Snoop can visit. Norway is strict on past and present drug use. Snoop cannot enter that country despite his efforts. So Snoop can only learn about Viking culture through watching History.
7. Katy Perry: China
Source: Getty Images
China is known for expelling celebrities who don't agree with their strict restrictions. Katy Perry, who prides herself on breaking traditions, wasn't welcome in the 2017 Victoria's Secret fashion show. Not Perry's exuberant manner, the passion for LGBT issues, or risqué clothes. She performed in Taiwan in 2015 and had photos with fans waving the flag.China has banned Taiwanese emblems for longer than anybody can recall. Perry was denied a visa after wearing a sunflower dress, a symbol of Taiwan's liberation campaign. Gigi Hadid and other models were barred, too. Knowing Perry, she'll be eager to spread her style worldwide.
6. 50 Cent: Canada
Source: Getty Images
How do you become barred from Canada? This country is famous for its friendliness, low crime rate, and openness. Who could be banned from that country? 100 words The rapper has been banned from radio, parties, and award events, but a country is different. The rapper was told he couldn't perform or tour Canada in 2005. His violent, drug-using criminal record was the explanation.His songs and films promoting gun violence also irked them. Toronto MP Dan McTeague said, "I don't think urban centers need or desire Mr. Jackson's message right now." 50 Cent has remained a great success in the U.S. and worldwide and produced the hit show Power. The Great White North doesn't want him, though.
5. Chris Brown: The UK And Australia
Source: Getty Images
The rapper's talent helped him get admirers. In 2009, Brown savagely battered his girlfriend Rihanna, tarnishing his legacy. Fans were terrified by her boxing match-like appearance. Brown weathered a backlash and has since released hit albums and appeared on Black-ish. Several countries have said Brown isn't welcome because of his actions.He was denied admission into the UK in 2010 before a world tour because of a major crime. In 2015, Australia was battling domestic abuse when Brown came for a tour. As he wouldn't have fit, the country denied him admittance. Two nations aren't as forgiving as the U.S. about Brown's actions.
4. Selena Gomez: Russia And China
Source: Getty Images
Selena Gomez has climbed with her drive and singing voice. Gomez has adopted a sexier style as she's gained followers and fought lupus and other ailments. She's gotten in trouble with other countries. Her 2016 Moscow concert visa was refused. An internet petition pushed Gomez to criticize Russia's anti-LGBT policies onstage.Although it's unclear if Gomez would have done it, Russia refused her entry. She was barred from China a few months later. Photos from 2014 showed Gomez meeting the Dali Lama, a no-no for China. Selena crossed China and Russia off her list, but she continues to impress admirers with her talent.
3. Brad Pitt: China
Source: Getty Images
Brad Pitt is a global superstar. Pitt has had several hits since he became a professional dramatic actor in the 1990s. In 1997, Pitt starred in Seven Years in Tibet, based on a guy who spent that long in Tibet learning about its culture and people. The Chinese authorities did not like how government officials in the film beat innocents and treated Tibet as a slave nation.They said anyone linked with the film, including Pitt, wouldn't be allowed in. Given Pitt's star power and film success, China relaxed the prohibition, and he could cross China off his list for nearly 20 years.
2. Lady Gaga: Indonesia And China
Source: Getty Images
Lady Gaga has never feared controversy. The singer is famous for her outspokenness, LGBT support, and crazy attire. A woman who wears a flesh suit on the red carpet is brazen. In 2012, Gaga was warned three weeks before a sold-out gig in Indonesia that she couldn't enter.The authorities received numerous complaints about Gaga's provocative costumes and music and feared her show "would corrupt and destroy the nation's moral fiber." Gaga just kept going. China banned her after meeting the Dali Lama, a non grata in China. Because of the band, she wore this as a badge of honor to show how nothing stopped her attitude.
1. Justin Bieber: China
Source: Getty Images
Justin Bieber was a clean-cut pop sensation. He quickly discarded that photo. Bieber is famous for his legal troubles, press clashes, wild interviews, and womanizing. While on tour in China, Bieber skateboarded across Beijing and was hauled over the Great Wall by bodyguards. Bieber posted Instagram images of himself at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead, including those who committed atrocities in China and Korea. Bieber posed for photos like it was a theme park. Few could argue with China's wish that Bieber "matures."Share this article
Advertisement