Mariah slammed for dictator show
She made a public apology after performing for Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi five years ago and Mariah Carey has again come under fire from human rights campaigners for singing in front of Angolan despot Josè Eduardo dos Santos.
According to the Human Rights Foundation, the diva graced the stage during a two-hour private concert for the African dictator for the sum of more than US$1 million (A$1.13 million) at the weekend.
The gala was said to benefit the Angolan Red Cross and was sponsored by bosses at a mobile phone company owned by dos Santos' daughter Isabel.
Carey reportedly posed for a picture with the politician, his daughter and his wife and told gala guests she was honoured share the show with the President.
However Human Rights Foundation president Thor Halvorssen slammed Carey's decision to perform in a country where he said the majority of the population lives on less than $2 per day.
"Mariah Carey can't seem to get enough dictator cash," the statement read.
"Just five years ago she performed for the family of Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi. Now, she goes from private performances to public displays of support and credibility for one of Africa's chief human rights violators and most corrupt tyrants."
Having reigned since 1979, dos Santos is the only billionaire in Angola and is said to have ordered the execution of several politicians, activists and journalists who spoke out against him.
Carey's decision to perform for a controversial politician is not her first - in 2008 she was shamed along with Beyonce for performing for Gaddafi.
At the time, the former American Idol judge said she was naïve and unaware of who she was booked to sing for.
"I feel horrible and embarrassed to have participated in this mess," Carey said.
"Ultimately we as artists are to be held accountable. Going forward, this is a lesson for all artists to learn from.
"We need to be more aware and take more responsibility regardless of who books our shows."
A representative for the star has not yet commented on the current controversy.
