Mockery allegations cancel Rosalía tribute concert in Argentina

A planned tribute concert for Spanish singer Rosalía in Argentina has been canceled following a controversy over allegations that she mocked the Argentinian national team's World Cup defeat.

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Due to reasons unrelated to the museum's operations, and for the safety of the artists, the event 'Rosalía Concert-Symphony Ensemble' is canceled.

The incident began when Rosalía "liked" a social media post by Mia Khalifa, a Lebanese-American actress. The post used Rosalía's song 'La Perla' as background music for a video that appeared to ridicule Argentina's loss to Spain. The phrase 'La Perla' itself is reportedly used in some contexts to mock individuals, further fueling the backlash from Argentinian fans.

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We have received numerous messages of hatred and anger regarding the Rosalía concert. We are an independent production company and do not represent Rosalía or her statements.

Upon learning of Rosalía's interaction with the post, many fans interpreted it as a direct insult to Argentina. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Cordoba, where the concert was scheduled, announced the cancellation via its official account. They cited "reasons unrelated to the museum's operations" and "the safety of the artists" as the basis for the decision.

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We do not manage his social media, nor do we intervene in his decisions. Our goal has always been to create a performance that honors music and art.

Impacto Producciones, the concert's production company, issued a statement acknowledging the "numerous messages of hatred and anger" received. They emphasized their role as an independent production company not representing Rosalía or her statements. The company expressed understanding for the fans' "anger, sadness, and disappointment," recognizing football's deep cultural significance in Argentina. Rosalía herself addressed the controversy, stating she shared the song simply because it was playing and did not read the accompanying text. She is a globally recognized artist known for blending flamenco with pop music.

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We too are Argentinians and consider football not just a sport, but part of identity, history, and culture. We understand the fans' anger, sadness, and disappointment.