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Taylor Swift cancels Melbourne Cup performance after criticism from animal rights groups Animal rights groups take credit after Taylor Swift cancels Melbourne Cup performance
(about 16 hours later)
Taylor Swift has cancelled her scheduled performance at this year’s Melbourne Cup, with racing organisers blaming a scheduling issue. Animal rights activists are taking credit after pop star Taylor Swift cancelled her scheduled performance at this year’s Melbourne Cup.
The US singer had been slated to perform two songs from her latest album Lover at Flemington Racecourse on 5 November in what had been billed as her only performance in Australia this year.
But less than two weeks after the performance was announced, Swift pulled out citing scheduling problems.
“Regrettably, Taylor is no longer able to make it to this year’s Melbourne Cup,” promoter Michael Gudinski said in a statement on Saturday. “Changes to her Asian promo schedule have made it logistically impossible for her to be here.”
Taylor Swift: ‘I was literally about to break’
On Saturday, the chief executive of the Victoria Racing Club, Neil Wilson, released a statement that Swift was “now unable to make the trip to Australia”.On Saturday, the chief executive of the Victoria Racing Club, Neil Wilson, released a statement that Swift was “now unable to make the trip to Australia”.
Announced earlier this month, the singer’s Melbourne Cup performance had initially been billed as her only performance in Australia this year. Wilson said it was “disappointing for everyone”.
But the booking was strongly criticised by animal rights groups, who called on Swift to boycott the racing event at which six horses have died since 2013. At last year’s race, The Cliffsofmoher was euthanised on the track after fracturing his shoulder. Swift’s Melbourne Cup booking was strongly criticised by animal rights groups, who called on Swift to boycott the racing event at which six horses have died since 2013. At last year’s race, The Cliffsofmoher was euthanised on the track after fracturing his shoulder.
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses had run a social media campaign to ask Swift to say #NupToTheCup.The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses had run a social media campaign to ask Swift to say #NupToTheCup.
“Taylor Swift has put money before compassion by agreeing to perform at the 2019 Melbourne Cup,” the group posted online after the announcement Swift would appear.“Taylor Swift has put money before compassion by agreeing to perform at the 2019 Melbourne Cup,” the group posted online after the announcement Swift would appear.
“Horses are being killed for gambling profits and entertainment. If Taylor Swift cares at all about other animals the way she appears to care about cats, she will cancel her show and make a strong statement that animal abuse is unacceptable.”“Horses are being killed for gambling profits and entertainment. If Taylor Swift cares at all about other animals the way she appears to care about cats, she will cancel her show and make a strong statement that animal abuse is unacceptable.”
Taylor Swift has had a 'scheduling conflict' and won't be performing at the Melbourne Cup!I urge anyone who cares about animals to reject gambling-fuelled cruelty and say #NupToTheCup https://t.co/EeuB1eV5wp Following Swift’s about-turn, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses spokeswoman Kristin Leigh said: “The pressure on Taylor Swift to cancel her performance was significant. Her fans did not want to see her supporting animal abuse.
On Saturday, music booking agency Mushroom Events said the change was due to scheduling issues with Swift’s world tour. “Whilst the reason being used by the racing industry is a scheduling mix up, it appears to us that she has responded to those calls.
“Regrettably, Taylor is no longer able to make it to this year’s Melbourne Cup,” said spokesman Michael Gudinski. “Changes to her Asian promo schedule have made it logistically impossible for her to be here.” “Taylor would certainly be much more aware of the cruel reality of horse racing than she was a few weeks ago.”
Wilson said it was “disappointing for everyone”. Emily Rice from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) said she “couldn’t be happier” about the pop star’s backflip.
Swift had initially been slated to perform two tracks from her new album, Lover, which is Australia’s highest-selling album of the year so far. “The event is riddled with horse breakdowns and death and is linked to the bloody horse-slaughter industry,” she said. “None of this cruelty is consistent with the kind person we know Taylor to be.”
The Victoria Racing Club said it was offering refunds to people who purchased cup tickets after Swift’s performance was announced on 12 September.
The club said it would make an announcement about pre-Cup entertainment shortly.
But animal activists said any replacement artists could expect the same backlash.
“We will be keeping a close eye out for whether another artist is announced to perform at the day, which is widely becoming known as a national disgrace,” Leigh said.
Australian Associated Press contributed to this report
Taylor SwiftTaylor Swift
Melbourne CupMelbourne Cup
Horse racingHorse racing
Melbourne
Animal welfare
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