RI’s Culpo Among Celebrities Facing Backlash for Attending Saudi Arabia Music Festival

RI’s Culpo Among Celebrities Facing Backlash for Attending Saudi Arabia Music Festival

Rhode Island native and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo is among a number of celebrities who attended the “MDL Beast” music festival in Saudi Arabia — and are now facing backlash in social media for going despite the country’s human rights record. 

The response to their visit comes as Saudi Arabia sentenced five people to death over the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. 

“Turkish officials on Tuesday urged international media not to cease investigating the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi Consulate last October after the Saudi government sentenced five people in connection with the death, according to Reuters,” reported The Hill. 

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Washington Post reporter Karen Attiah Tweeted the following regarding what she said were the “paid” festival attendees — which she said included Culpo (see full list below). 

Speaking of the Saudi regime trying to buy the appearance of progress —

Here are names of western celebs and influencers that the regime paid this weekend to post feel-good IG photos of concerts in Riyadh.  
@MDLBeast

All of this is blood money. #JamalKhashoggi

Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski Tweeted that she turned down attending with the following statement:

“I have always wanted to visit Saudi Arabia but when a recent opportunity came to me involving making and promoting an appearance there. I had to decline," she wrote. 

"It is very important to me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community, freedom of expression, and the right to free press. I hope coming forward on this brings more attention to the injustices there," she added.

Culpo posted photos to her Instagram account about attending the event — but made no mention of the controversy. 

“So grateful to be in a country I’ve never experience before. Thank you for the warm welcome in Saudi! Heading to MDL Beast now,” she Tweeted. 

This was first published 12/24/19 11:54 AM.