American comedian Whitney Cummings has defended her performance at Saudi Arabia's inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival, describing the backlash against those who took part as 'just racism'. Speaking on her podcast 'Good for You' on Monday, she rejected accusations of unethical behaviour, arguing that critics were conflating the Saudi government with its people.
'It's just racism,' Cummings said. 'You think that the people of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi government all [share the same values]? It's just racism.' She also highlighted what she saw as hypocrisy, noting that many comedians and entertainment companies have accepted money from Saudi Arabia through Live Nation or the William Morris Agency.
Other A-list performers at the festival, which ran from 26 September to 9 October, included Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson and Andrew Schulz. Ansari defended his participation by stating he would donate part of his fee to groups such as Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch.
While some online commenters accused Cummings of dismissing valid concerns about human rights, others who attended the festival noted significant social changes in Saudi Arabia, including women being allowed to drive, the lifting of face-covering requirements, and the return of concerts and cinema. They noted that many topics, such as gay rights and drugs, were discussed openly during the shows.
