Weird Al Yankovic, the renowned 5x Grammy-winning parody musician, has made it clear that he values his artistic integrity above financial gain. In a recent interview with Pennsylvania’s Tribune-Review, Yankovic revealed that he turned down a lucrative offer to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, citing the event’s problematic association with the country’s human rights record.

A Seven-Figure Sum

According to Yankovic, he was offered a staggering seven-figure sum to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, an amount that far exceeds any previous offer he has received for a single show. However, despite the significant financial incentive, the musician ultimately decided against participating in the event.

“I was invited to the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which is something that I obviously did not want to do,” Yankovic explained. “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.”

Reasons Behind the Decision

Yankovic’s decision not to participate in the Riyadh Comedy Festival was motivated by his discomfort with the event’s association with the Saudi government, which has been criticized for its human rights abuses and involvement in the 9/11 attacks. The musician expressed his concerns about being part of an event that could be seen as condoning or supporting these actions.

“But I just couldn’t be part of that. 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. But 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,” Yankovic said.

Controversy Surrounding the Riyadh Comedy Festival

The Riyadh Comedy Festival has been surrounded by controversy since its debut last year, with several comedians expressing their concerns about participating in the event. The festival’s lineup included several high-profile comedians, including Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., and Dave Chappelle, who ultimately performed at the event despite the controversy.

Other comedians, such as Marc Maron, Shane Gillis, and Zach Woods, have publicly criticized their peers for participating in the festival, citing the country’s human rights record and the role of Saudi officials in 9/11 and the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Yankovic’s decision not to participate in the Riyadh Comedy Festival has been seen as a testament to his commitment to artistic integrity and his willingness to take a stand against problematic events.

Previous Rejections

This is not the first time Yankovic has rejected a lucrative offer due to his concerns about the event’s association with the Saudi government. In 2020, he turned down a seven-figure sum to appear in an AI ad, citing his discomfort with the technology’s potential impact on the music industry.

“I wish people would offer me things that I didn’t feel bad about accepting,” Yankovic quipped, highlighting his commitment to making choices that align with his values and artistic vision.