Zika virus fears have prompted Rihanna to scrap her performance at Lollapalooza Colombia.
Rihanna was scheduled to headline the inaugural two day event in Bogota in September.
Her cancellation has prompted festival organisers to axe the whole show, according to Colombian news outlet La Tercera, insisting they don’t have enough time to find a suitable replacement.
“The organizers wish to express their deep appreciation to all the fans who supported the festival since day one, as well as the sponsors and the media partners,” a statement reads.
Lana Del Rey, Disclosure, Wiz Khalifa, and The Chainsmokers were also on the bill, but the big draw was Rihanna.
The September festival would have been the first in Colombia.
Rihanna, who is currently on tour in Europe, made the decision to pull the plug on the Lollapalooza gig after reportedly growing alarmed by the fact Colombia has the second-most cases of the Zika virus after Brazil, according to Time magazine.
The illness is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
She’s not the only major star with concerns about the Zika virus this summer (16) – tennis ace Serena Williams has admitted she’s worried about taking part in the Rio Olympics.
International medical professionals fear Brazil isn’t safe enough for the world’s top athletes after World Health Organization (WHO) officials issued a public warning advising pregnant women to avoid areas where the Zika virus is prevalent, and, in light of the growing concern, Serena has gone public with her thoughts about the vicious bug.
“I’m not taking Zika lightly,” she recently told America’s Glamour magazine. “I definitely am going everywhere protected. I’m protecting myself.”
The virus has become an even greater concern for Serena, who is currently dating Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, because she is hoping to become pregnant within the next few years.
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