Five-time Grammy-winning parody musician Weird Al Yankovic turned down a seven-figure payday to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, stating that accepting Saudi money for his comedic services would have made him feel “icky.” According to an interview with Pennsylvania’s Tribune-Review, the artist declined the offer despite it being way more than he has ever been offered to do a single show.
The Seven-Figure Offer and Ethical Boundaries
Yankovic revealed that festival organizers approached him with a seven-figure guarantee for a single performance. “They offered me, I’m not going to say how much, but it was seven figures to do one show, which is way more than I’ve ever been offered in my life to do a show,” Yankovic told the Tribune-Review. He added that he ultimately decided he “just couldn’t be part of that.”
While turning down the lucrative gig, Yankovic emphasized that he harbors no ill will toward performers who chose to accept the payout. “I’m not dissing anybody that took the money because I’m sure everybody that went there got a lot of money,” he said. “I’m sure they had their own reasons and justifications for doing it.” He noted that his financial stability allows him the luxury of declining work that clashes with his personal boundaries, explaining, “I’m doing enough that I don’t need to take any amount of money if it makes me feel icky, and that kind of did.”
Did you know? Weird Al Yankovic also recently turned down a “nice pile of money” to appear in an artificial intelligence advertisement, remarking to the Tribune-Review, “I’m not dissing anybody that took the money because I’m sure everybody that went there got a lot of money. I’m sure they had their own reasons and justifications for doing it.”
The Riyadh Comedy Festival Lineup and Industry Backlash
The Riyadh Comedy Festival, which ran from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9 following a controversial debut the previous year, has faced sustained criticism from observers and fellow entertainers. Critics have frequently pointed to Saudi officials’ roles in 9/11 and the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Additional scrutiny has targeted human rights abuses committed by Saudi minister of entertainment Turki Al-Sheikh, who serves as the primary architect behind the festival.
Despite the ethical concerns raised by human rights advocates and some comedians, the event has consistently drawn major American talent. Deadline exclusively announced the initial Riyadh Comedy Festival lineup, which ultimately featured high-profile acts including Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Pete Davidson, Hannibal Buress, Jack Whitehall, Zarna Garg, Gabriel Iglesias, Jim Jefferies, Jo Koy, Bobby Lee, Jeff Ross, Andrew Santino, Tom Segura, and Chris Tucker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Weird Al Yankovic turn down the Riyadh Comedy Festival?
Yankovic turned down a seven-figure offer to perform at the festival because accepting the funds would have made him “feel icky,” according to his interview with the Tribune-Review.
Who organized the Riyadh Comedy Festival?
The festival operates under the direction of Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi minister of entertainment.
Which comedians performed at the festival?
According to Deadline, the star-studded lineup included Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Pete Davidson, and Chris Tucker, among others.
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