Animal activists are taking credit for Taylor Swift’s last-minute Melbourne Cup scratching in Australia.
Swift had been slated to perform two songs from her latest album Lover at Flemington Racecourse on November 5th. But less than two weeks after the performance was announced, Swift pulled out, citing scheduling problems.
“Changes to her Asian promo schedule have made it logistically impossible for her to be here,” promoter Michael Gudinski said in a statement on Saturday.
The cancellation came after an intense backlash from animal activists, who call on social media for the star to say #NupToTheCup. “The pressure on Taylor Swift to cancel her performance was significant. Her fans did not want to see her supporting animal abuse,” Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses spokeswoman Kristin Leigh said, following Swift’s about-turn. “Whilst the reason being used by the racing industry is a scheduling mix up, it appears to us that she has responded to those calls. After Swift’s performance was announced, animal rights group Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses called on Swift to cancel as part of their #NupToTheCup campaign, pointing to the deaths of numerous horses during the race.
One group, the Coalition of the Protection of Racehorses, even shared a Change.org petition earlier this month urging Taylor to back out of her performance.
The Victoria Racing Club says the cancellation is disappointing and is offering refunds to people who purchased cup tickets after Swift’s performance was announced on September 12th.
Last year, Irish racehorse The Cliffsofmoher was euthanized on the racetrack after fracturing its shoulder, becoming the sixth horse to die at the event since 2013. The death sparked outrage online, and the #NupToTheCup hashtag subsequently on Twitter.
In the U.S., PETA issued a statement saying, “Taylor Swift dumped the Melbourne Cup, and PETA couldn’t be happier. The event is riddled with horse breakdowns and death…none of this cruelty is consistent with the kind person we know Taylor to be.”
While Taylor has not explicitly spoken out about any additional reasoning behind her cancellation, fans are praising her decision on social media and thanking the singer for pulling out of the event.
CHECK IT OUT
Full Story: The Guardian
Mehreen FaruqiI love our Friday afternoons listening to @TaylorSwift13 in the office, but I feel the opposite about the Melbourne Cup.
Gambling-fuelled cruelty shouldn’t be anyone’s entertainment.
Taylor, do the right thing and say #NupToTheCuphttps://junkee.com/taylor-swift-melbourne-cup/221543 …
Taylor Swift To Perform At The Melbourne Cup
I didn’t realise she was a jockey.
junkee.com
