Maluma – the Colombian singer behind World Cup anthem – WALKS OUT of TV interview as he’s accused of ‘whitewashing’ human rights abuses in Qatar

  • Maluma was asked if his being in Qatar was ‘whitewashing’ human rights abuses
  • Reporter Moav Vardi asked if Maluma had a problem with violations in Qatar 
  • The singer said he was at the World Cup to ‘enjoy life’ and ‘the party of soccer’ 
  • When asked about whitewashing, he called the reporter ‘rude’ and stormed out 
  • Maluma features on the World Cup anthem with Nicki Minaj and Myriam Fares

By Hannah Mcdonald For Mailonline

Published: 13:53 GMT, 20 November 2022 | Updated: 14:12 GMT, 20 November 2022

Colombian singer Maluma, who sings on the World Cup’s official anthem, stormed out of an Israeli TV interview after being accused of ‘whitewashing’ human rights abuses in Qatar.

During a BBC broadcast to Israeli public television, the 28-year-old singer was asked: ‘Don’t you have a problem with human rights violations in this country?’

Maluma, whose real name is Juan Luis Londoño Arias, responded by saying it was something he could not resolve and that he was just there to ‘enjoy the party of soccer’.

After being asked by reporter Moav Vardi if his presence at the tournament was ‘helping whitewashing’ of human rights abuses, the singer called the reporter rude and stormed out.  

During a BBC broadcast to Israeli public television, the singer was asked: 'Don't you have a problem with human rights violations in this country?'

During a BBC broadcast to Israeli public television, the singer was asked: ‘Don’t you have a problem with human rights violations in this country?’

In the clip of the interview, Maluma is asked: ‘Shakira and Dua Lipa refused to take part in this World Cup due to the bad records of Qatar regarding human rights.

‘Obviously people think what, Maluma don’t you have a problem with human rights violations in this country?’ 

The star replies: ‘Yeah but it’s something I can’t resolve. I just came here to enjoy life, enjoy soccer, the party of soccer. 

‘It’s not actually something that I have to be involved with. 

‘I’m here enjoying my music and the beautiful life playing soccer too.’

After Maluma asked whether he had to answer the ‘whitewashing’ question, people are heard talking in the background but it cannot be made out what is said.

After being asked if his presence at the tournament was 'helping whitewashing' of human rights abuses, the singer called the reporter rude and stormed out

After being asked if his presence at the tournament was 'helping whitewashing' of human rights abuses, the singer called the reporter rude and stormed out

After being asked if his presence at the tournament was ‘helping whitewashing’ of human rights abuses, the singer called the reporter rude and stormed out

Maluma stormed out of an Israeli TV interview after being accused of 'whitewashing' human rights abuses in Qatar

Maluma stormed out of an Israeli TV interview after being accused of 'whitewashing' human rights abuses in Qatar

Maluma stormed out of an Israeli TV interview after being accused of ‘whitewashing’ human rights abuses in Qatar

Maluma then says ‘We don’t do that’ as he stands up to leave the interview and calls the reporter ‘rude’.

In response Vardi asks: ‘I’m rude? Why am I rude Maluma? This is what people say, it is what people think.’

The singer features alongside Lebanese singer Myriam Fares and Nicki Minaj on the official Fifa Qatar World Cup anthem called Tukoh Taka.

In the music video for the song, the trio are seen partying in the desert. 

Maluma previously recorded a song for the 2018 world Cup in Russia.

In 2019 he appeared collaborated with Madonna and voiced the character Mariano in Disney’s 2021 film Encanto.

Other performers such as Dua Lipa and Rod Stewart rejected the invitation to perform, citing the human rights violations in the country. 

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