Avril Lavigne Too Sexy

Malaysia's Islamic opposition party has called for the government to cancel an upcoming Avril Lavigne concert in Kuala Lumpur.¹ They argued that the Canadian pop star's "sexy" dance moves and her punk rock music would be inappropriate, especially during Merdeka, the month when Malaysia celebrates its independence from Britain.² Event organizers, though, say that the show is still on, and the concert will meet local rules and regulations.³

Fast Facts

1. Concert still taking place on August 29, 2008
2. Will be the first stop on Avril Lavigne's month-long tour of Asia
3. Youth wing of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party promoted the cancellation¹
4. Performers in Malaysia must be covered from chest to knees, wearing clothes without obscene or drug-related images¹
5. Performers also prohibited from jumping, shouting, hugging and kissing while on stage¹
6. August 31 Malaysia's independence day¹

Malaysian Concert History

Avril Lavigne isn't the only pop star to meet resistance in Malaysia. The Pussycat Dolls were accused of flouting decency regulations in the country and fined 10,000 ringgit (US $2,857). Gwen Stefani has said that she made a "major sacrifice" by covering up with a conservative outfit at a 2007 Malaysian performance. Beyonce Knowles moved a planned Malaysia concert to Indonesia, and Christina Aguilera skipped the country entirely on her tour of Asia the same year.¹

Categories