Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has said she will no longer perform at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 3, following pressure from fans and Sudanese activists over the UAE’s alleged involvement in Sudan’s ongoing war. Larsson was scheduled to perform alongside Lewis Capaldi at Etihad Live on Yas Island as part of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts.
The decision first surfaced in the comments of one of Larsson’s Instagram posts, after a fan urged her to “read about what UAE is doing to Sudan” and cancel the show. Larsson replied, “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi,” though both comments were later deleted. She subsequently explained that the decision came after taking time to think about it, saying that skipping the show aligned with her “for many different personal reasons beyond politics.” She also stressed that she wants to perform for people everywhere, adding that “no single person is their government.”
The cancellation comes amid allegations that the UAE has supported Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been accused of widespread abuses during the conflict. The UAE has denied supporting the RSF. As of September 20, Larsson was still listed on some official event and ticketing pages, suggesting the cancellation has yet to be formally reflected across the event’s platforms.
