Joss Stone ‘detained and deported’ from Iran who ‘blacklisted’ her on fears she may start performing
- British soul singer denied access to the Islamic Republic on Thursday
- Stone was travelling to Iran’s Kish Island which is an economic free zone
- In Iran solo performances by women are prohibited
Soul singer Joss Stone says she was ‘detained’ and ‘deported’ by Iranian authorities after they blacklisted her, fearing that she might perform a public show which is illegal for females in the country.
The ‘Soul Sessions’ artist had arrived in the Islamic Republic as part of a worldwide concert tour, though she didn’t plan to perform there.
Posting on Instagram, Stone appears in a video wearing a white headscarf saying: ‘Well, we got to Iran, we got detained and then we got deported.’
She told her fans that while she knew it was illegal to perform, she still wanted to see Iran.
She described the authorities that met her on arrival at Iran’s Kish Island as professional throughout their interaction.
‘These people are genuinely nice kind people that felt bad that they couldn’t override the system,’ she wrote in a caption.
Under Iranian law, women cannot perform solo concerts, though women do play in ensemble bands and orchestras.
It’s unclear what Stone planned to otherwise do in Iran, though her Instagram post described her desire to show ‘the positives of our globe.’
Iranian newspapers reported Stone’s Instagram comments on Thursday, though there was no immediate government comment on her claims.
Stone earlier posted images of herself boarding a flight to Iran’s Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, which is an economic free zone that allows travel by all nationalities.
In March this year, Stone performed in Syria for an audience of 70 people, largely made up of a Kurdish militia’s foreign fighters.
Her journeys in these unlikely locations is part of her Total World Tour where she aims to play in every country.
Stone looks disappointed as she tells her followers that she has been deported. She was travelling to Iran’s Kish Island, an economic free zone that is supposedly open to all nationalities (credit: Joss Stone Instagram)
Speaking of performing in Syria, she said: ‘It was very different – we have played 174 countries and that was unique. But I’m really happy to be here.’
Stone came to fame in 2003 as a small-town teenager with a big, soulful voice, showcased on her best-selling debut album ‘The Soul Sessions’ and hit singles including ‘Fell In Love With A Boy.’
She also has taken acting roles and is a friend to England’s Prince William and his wife, Kate.
Joss stone (pictured) caused controversy earlier this year when she showed support for the Niqab – a face covering veil worn by some muslim women