Taylor Swift sparks a war of words between Asian countries with the Philippines and Thailand's tour of Singapore due to “paying the singer $3 million per show in exchange for not performing any other show in the region.”

• Swift is said to be paid $3 million per show in Singapore
• Leaders in the Philippines and Thailand say they are disturbed by the Singaporean government's decision to pursue an exclusive deal with the pop star.
• Swift is in the middle of six sold-out shows in the small island nation

Taylor Swift is the most popular woman in the world, so it should come as no surprise that neighboring countries are poised to overtake her due to a small, exclusive country dominating her appearances on the Eras Tour.

Politicians in the Philippines and Thailand are speaking out about a deal struck by Singapore that limits Swift's Eras Tour in Southeast Asia to only the wealthy city-state.

The 34-year-old singer, who is currently in the middle of six sold-out shows in Singapore, was… He received a scholarship to perform in the country.

But it will be its only stop in Southeast Asia.

Singaporean authorities reportedly brokered a deal that prevented Taylor from performing at other venues in the region, on the assumption that Swifties would be forced to flock to Singapore.

The Prime Minister of Thailand, one of the countries insulted by Swift Island, said at the iBusiness Forum 2024, held recently in Bangkok, that the Singaporean government had offered Swift up to $3 million per show in exchange for Eras Tour exclusivity. .

Filipino politician Joey Salceda has also spoken out about the perceived economic weakness. He called on his country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the grant granted to Swift.

He told local media that neighboring governments are supposed to be allies, working side by side to strengthen the region and that the Singapore-brokered deal is a painful betrayal.

Thai Prime Minister Sritha Thavisin described Singapore's move as “smart”, adding that he had long wondered why Swift was not chosen to play in Thailand.

“If it came to Thailand, it would be cheaper to organize it here, and I think it would be able to attract more sponsors and tourists to Thailand,” he said.

“Although we will have to support at least 500 million baht (US$14 million), it will be worth it.”

If I had known that, I would have brought the shows to Thailand. Concerts can generate added value for the economy.

The Singapore offers are likely to be a boon for the economy. Swift sold out tickets for six nights at the 55,000-seat National Stadium this month.

The Singapore Tourism Board and Ministry of Culture did not disclose the amount of the grant, but pointed to the economic benefits that Swift's concerts around the world have brought.

They said the ministry worked with concert promoter AEG Presents to convince Swift to perform in Singapore.

“It is likely to generate significant benefits for Singapore's economy, especially for tourism activities such as hospitality, retail, travel and dining, as has happened in other cities where Taylor Swift has performed,” they said in a statement issued last Tuesday.

Singapore has seen a boom in concerts since the end of pandemic lockdowns, with big names such as Blackpink, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran performing sold-out shows.

The Singapore government has not commented on the exclusivity clause, although AEG said Swift's only concert stop in Southeast Asia will be in the island nation, where VIP tickets cost S$1,228 (A$1,395).

In wider Asia, Swift also performed in Tokyo earlier in February.

Her concerts in Singapore will run from March 2 to 9.

More than 300,000 tickets were sold to fans who lined up all night in the intense tropical heat.

During her second show in Singapore last week, Swift revealed that the final version of her upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, will include a bonus song titled The Black Dog.

The long-awaited album will be released on April 19.

The album artwork appeared behind her on stage as she sat at the piano, according to the posts Shared by concert goers On X.

During her first Eras Tour performance in Singapore, Swift shared a meaningful story with her fans about what Singapore means to her and her family.

“My mom spent a lot of her childhood with her mom, dad and sister growing up in Singapore,” she told Fan Place about her mother, Andrea Swift.

In a video shared on X by Fan page accountShe explained: “Often when we would come here on tour, my mother would pick me up and drive me past her old house, where she went to school.

“So I've been hearing about Singapore all my life,” she continued.

“To come here and do a show of this size with so many beautiful, generous people…it means the world.”