'Weird Al' Yankovic says he turned down 7-figure Riyadh Comedy Festival show
Fox News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "Weird Al" Yankovic declined a seven-figure offer to perform at Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival, citing discomfort with accepting money from the country.
- Yankovic emphasized he respects performers who chose to participate but personally could not reconcile appearing at the event due to its controversial nature.
- The Riyadh Comedy Festival faced criticism from prominent comedians and commentators, including Bill Maher and Jimmy Kimmel, who highlighted concerns over Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
- Comedian Aziz Ansari defended his participation, viewing the festival as a potential catalyst for cultural openness and dialogue among Saudi Arabia’s young population.
- Yankovic also revealed he turned down a lucrative AI advertisement deal, expressing a desire to only accept offers that align with his values.
