Jennifer Lopez slammed for ‘£4,000,000 Dubai performance’ over anti-gay laws-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro

Long-time LGBT ally Jennifer Lopez has been criticised for performing in Dubai, where being gay is illegal (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

Jennifer Lopez marked the opening of a lavish new Dubai hotel with a special performance for guests and celebrities, and is facing criticism for doing so.

The Jenny From The Block star, 54, appeared at the One & Only One Za’abeel hotel on Saturday night where she belted out some of her most recognisable tracks in the Martini Bar of the luxury resort.

Watched by the likes of Sabrina and Idris Elba, model Naomi Campbell, High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens, and joined on stage by Mark Ronson, the A-listers partied the night away, with JLo reported to have earned around $5 million (£3.9 million) for her set.

However Jennifer – who has long been an LGBT ally – is facing criticism for performing in the UAE, where homosexuality is strictly illegal under threat of imprisonment.

Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell told The Sun it was ‘very sad that a long-time LGBTQ ally like Jennifer Lopez is prepared to put money before human rights.’

Peter, who was previously arrested in Qatar for staging a pro-LGBT protest ahead of the World Cup, claimed her performance ‘colludes’ with Dubai’s ‘homophobia, misogyny and generalised abuse of human rights.’

JLo is reported to have earned close to £4 million for her performance at the hotel (Picture: Getty)

She and Mark Ronson performed to a crowd of A-listers and special guests (Picture: Getty)

Peter went on to claim the Dubai regime is ‘using’ the pop star ‘to project a more liberal image … it’s shameful that she is going along with it.’

Beyoncé faced similar criticism when in 2023 she performed her first show in years at the opening of luxury Dubai hotel Atlantis The Royal – from which she is reported to have made $24million (£19.4m).

The likes of Idris Elba and Vanessa Hudgens were in attendance (Picture: Getty)

And David Beckham, who was idolised as a gay icon, caused huge upset for taking an ambassador role at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The criticism was led by comedian Joe Lycett, who pretended to shred £10,000 after the footballer did not back out of the multi-million pound Qatar deal after multiple public pleas.

Joe later revealed that what he had destroyed instead was the England star’s famous 1990s Attitude magazine cover.

Musician and actress Jennifer has previously won awards for her advocacy of gay rights, including the 2021 British LGBT Awards where she won celebrity ally, and a Glaad Vanguard Awards for her advocacy.

Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Jennifer Lopez for comment.

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