Is Rihanna A Rip-Off? Angry Fans Criticize High Ticket Prices, Make More Lip-Synching Accusations
Oct. 14 2013, Published 5:24 p.m. ET
Rihanna made history on Sunday night when she became the youngest performer ever to sell out the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. But South African fans will remember the show for another reason: Concertgoers were in an uproar post-show, complaining that Rihanna's low energy and alleged lip-synching did not justify her high ticket prices.
"Ri-Ri Rip-Off!" blared the front page of The Star Johannesburg newspaper on Monday morning. Calling her performance "below-par," the article cited "allegations that Rihanna was miming some of her songs, did not perform a single costume change, had not performed some of her biggest hits and lacked vitality."
"It was obvious," staff photographer Sharon Seretlo told the paper of RiRi's supposed lip-synching. "You when when someone is lip-synching. I was in the Golden Circle close to the stage. I could see it."
"I'm a die-hard Rihanna fan, but I was disappointed," Seretlo continued. "It was like she didn't give the energy we wanted from her."
Fan Nicole Contini added, "… I don't feel the ticket prices were fair considering the level of performance."
Prices, though below, $100, were considered high for the local market.
Check out some of the other disappointed reactions from fans on Twitter:
Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour has been plagued with similar complaints of lip-synching, as well as delays and accusations of drug and alcohol abuse. The tour wraps up on November 15 in New Orleans.