Post by merg on May 28, 2004 10:01:43 GMT -5
Launch
Missy Steers Clear of Danger Zone
(E! Online, 05/25/2004 12:15 PM)
By Lia Haberman
Missy Elliott fans in Indonesia won't be getting their freak on anytime soon. Citing safety concerns, she has nixed an upcoming concert in the Southeast Asia archipelago.
Elliott had been scheduled to play Jakarta, the capital city, Wednesday night as part of a global tour in support of her new album This Is Not a Test! She canceled the show after the U.S. Embassy warned Americans about potential terrorist attacks in Indonesia.
"We apologize to all the fans of Missy Elliott because of this cancellation," Roberto (yes, he just goes by "Roberto") of Lunar Entertainment, the show's promoter, told the Associated Press Tuesday. Ticket holders are expected to get refunds.
Attempts to contact Elliott's label were unsuccessful.
On Friday, the U.S. Embassy issued a statement reminding U.S. citizens to remain aware of the "continued potential for terrorist attacks against Americans or American interests in Indonesia and worldwide."
"A convergence of local and international factors has increased the potential threat," the embassy said.
Among the contributing factors were the continuing trials of Indonesian terror suspects, the country's presidential election campaign, anti-American sentiment stirred up by U.S. actions in Iraq and "information gathered worldwide indicating that terrorist groups contemplate additional attacks."
Elliott is the second performer this week choosing to avoid international hot spots. Madonna nixed three upcoming dates in Israel because of violence in the region, including the recent deaths of Palestinian Hamas leaders.
Original reports linked the Material Mom's move to death threats directed at her children, Lourdes, seven, and Rocco, three. However, her rep denied the threats and chalked the decision up to the region's general political climate.
There has been no word on where or when Elliott will resume her tour. The superstar recently concluded a 22-city Ladies First tour Stateside with R&B friends Beyonc Knowles and Alicia Keys .
The "Supa Dupa Fly" songstress used the road trip as fodder for an upcoming UPN reality series tentatively titled The Missy Elliott Project, in which music-industry wannabes are pitted against each other in a search for the next hip-hop sensation.