There were shocking scenes during one of Dua Lipa’s first ever headline shows in China last night when fans were forcibly removed from the venue just for standing and waving Pride flags.
A number of young female fans were dragged from their seats during the British star’s concert by the venue’s security team.
Videos shared across social media see a handful of grown men grab fans and carry or drag them out of the venue, after standing up during the show to dance along.
I just CANT believe it. This is the show of Dua Lipa in Shanghai. All the fans are forbidden to stand out and could only sit on to see the show?!? If you don’t, the guard would use violence to kick u out. It’s unbelievable… #dualipa pic.twitter.com/quITZNLVxU
— Zebrastreifen? Ja, Bitte! (@PostP0st) September 12, 2018
People at the concert claimed that some fans were waving Pride flags, which were also quickly taken off them.
Dua Lipa spotted the commotion from the stage during her performance and was visibly upset about what she saw happening.
One more video…the girl was up on her feet so happy n thought they coming to interact with her, only to be smashed onto the ground and taken away.💔 Not every show in China is like this, it's said @LiveNation instructed them to do so. We're so sorry @DUALIPA had to witness. pic.twitter.com/Eo5XwOpsQY
— dexx (@dexk07) September 12, 2018
“I just want us to all sing and have a really really good time,” she said to the crowd, holding back tears.
“We’re not here for much longer. We only have a few more songs, and I would love for these last few songs for us to really really really enjoy ourselves.”
https://twitter.com/958353005/status/1039912655933173761
Fans rallied around to show their support for Dua Lipa, reassuring her that her Chinese fans are still there for her.
“I’m so sorry for what happened tonight in Shanghai,” one tweeted. “It’s not ur fault. Hope you get well soon. Chinese fans will always love u!”
https://twitter.com/dr_jolin/status/1039875308688629760
Another added: “More than 10 fans in the Shanghai show have been knocked out violently and beaten, just because they’re not allowed to stand up. This is such a horrible mistake.
#DuaLipa #DuaLipaMNL #DuaLipaMNL2018 #Shanghai And this on is UNBELIEVABLE!!! The audience who were pulled out of the concert by security guards, and also beaten up outside by security guards!!!!!!! These security guards are totally hooligans!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/kON19ak6xH
— Belief WILD (@Belief_wild) September 12, 2018
“I know it’s not your fault, but please try to do something to make the Chinese performance agent company to apologise.”
Fans claimed that during Dua’s show in Guangzhou the previous night they were allowed to be on their feet, so it’s unknown why the rules were intensely more strict in Shanghai.
https://twitter.com/DUALIPA/status/1040215929144193026
Dua Lipa responded to the incident on Twitter with a message to her Chinese fans, thanking them for their bravery to show their pride and reassure them that she’d be back when the time is right.
“I was horrified by what happened and I send love to all my fans involved,” she said.