Singapore clarifies that Taylor Swift concert grant is not as high as previously believed
Singapore (AFP) – Singapore stated on Monday that the grant given to Taylor Swift for her concerts in the city was not as high as rumored, contrary to media reports suggesting she was offered millions of dollars per show.
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Around 300,000 people from Singapore and around the region are expected to attend the six sold-out shows that began on March 2 — however, some neighbours were disappointed about not being included in The Eras Tour.
Reports suggest that Swift was paid a significant amount to prevent her from performing elsewhere in the region, with Thailand’s Prime Minister among those expressing concerns.
“There has been speculation online regarding the grant size. I can confirm that the reported amounts are inaccurate and not as high as suggested,” stated Singapore’s culture minister Edwin Tong in parliament.
“Due to confidentiality reasons, we are unable to disclose the exact grant size or conditions.”
Tong emphasized that the economic benefits for Singapore are substantial and outweigh the grant size.
Reports indicated that Singapore offered Swift up to US$3 million per concert to exclusively perform in Singapore, a move criticized by a lawmaker in the Philippines.
Tong played down the significance of the grant in influencing Swift’s decision to perform only in Singapore.
“Promoters of top artists make their own decisions on where to perform and for how long,” he explained, highlighting Singapore’s location and infrastructure as key factors.
Following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, several top artists have performed in Singapore, including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Blackpink, and Harry Styles.
© 2024 AFP