IQ 451

Main Menu

  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Christina Aguilera
  • Radiohead
  • David Bowie
  • Financial

IQ 451

Header Banner

IQ 451

  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Christina Aguilera
  • Radiohead
  • David Bowie
  • Financial
Christina Aguilera
Home›Christina Aguilera›the end of the stars oligarch sauce train

the end of the stars oligarch sauce train

By Leon C. Beard
March 24, 2022
0
0

As Robbie Williams sang his hit Angels, hundreds of revelers swayed and sang along. Williams’ performance was so lavishly lit and impeccably produced that it could have been on one of his sold-out tours. But it was not a normal pop concert. It was in Saint Petersburg in the spring of 2018, and the British singer was performing at a private party to celebrate the 25and anniversary of MegaFon, the Russian mobile phone company controlled by oligarch Alisher Usmanov.

Former Arsenal shareholder Usmanov was sanctioned this month by the British government for being, in his own words, “associated with individuals within the Russian government involved in the destabilization and threat of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”.

Williams is said to have played many private gigs in Russia or for Russians over the years. In 2014 he reportedly performed in Moscow to an audience of members of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, while in 2016 he was reportedly paid £1.6m for singing at the wedding of the tycoon’s daughter. oil Rashid Sardarov. (He also performed very publicly: in 2018, he performed at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Moscow.)

But the former Take That singer is far from alone. Elton John, Mariah Carey, Deep Purple, Christina Aguilera and the late Whitney Houston are among those who have performed at private events for members of Russia’s elite, both at home and abroad (including not all, it must be said, face sanctions for links to the Russian state).

Such shows have always been an accepted and lucrative side hustle of the day job of being a pop star. The best musicians can charge millions of dollars to play just a handful of songs. Their travel and accommodation are covered. Hosting wealthy Russians on the side provides a tidy source of income for relatively little work: a name check and a stage smile is followed by an actual check and, most likely, an even wider smile. Hosts bought the perception of celebrity closeness, while stars bloated their bank accounts for an easy gig.

Related posts:

  1. The transformation of pink from 21 to 41 years old
  2. Season 20 finale of “ the Voice ” bringing together Blake Shelton and Adam Levine
  3. Life House, Aimbridge, McKibbon are added to the management portfolios
  4. Christina Aguilera launches rainbow product line for LGBTQ pride month

Recent Posts

  • Jamaican dancehall star Shenseea is Connecticut Sun’s 2022 Music Ambassador – Hoopfeed.com
  • Apple Music’s ‘Essential Anniversaries’ Explore Radiohead’s Famous ‘Computer OK’
  • the Ukrainian rock star performs in front of the troops; music boosts morale in times of war
  • Why You Don’t See Adam Levine on Vocals Anymore
  • What Soundgarden Members Have Been Up To Since Chris Cornell’s Death

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021

Categories

  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Christina Aguilera
  • David Bowie
  • Financial
  • Radiohead
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy