Selena Gomez Cancels Int’l Dates

Selena Gomez has canceled seven dates next month in Asia and five in Australia, saying she needed time for herself. 

Photo: Evan Agostini / Invision / AP
"Z100 Jingle Ball," Madison Square Garden Arena, New York City

“My fans are so important to me and I would never want to disappoint them,” she said in a Dec. 19 statement through Australian tour promoter Live Nation. “But it has become clear to me and those close to me that after many years of putting my work first, I need to spend some time on myself in order to be the best person I can be.

“To my fans, I sincerely apologize and I hope you guys know how much each and every one of you mean to me.”

The Texas native has been on the road for much of 2013 on her Stars Dance tour, playing 50 cities in 15 countries.

The Asian cancellations were made official Dec. 20.

The run was to begin Jan.16 at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo, Namba Hatch, Osaka (Jan. 20) and Zepp Nagoya in Nagoyua (Jan. 21).

It then headed to the China Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai (Jan. 24), Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Jan. 26), and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines (Jan. 29).

The Australian shows were to kick off at the Perth Arena (Feb. 1), then to Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Feb. 4), BCEC Great Hall in Brisbane (Feb. 6), the Sydney Entertainment Centre (Feb. 7), and wind up at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena (Feb. 8).

Four of the shows were sold out.

The singer returned to Asia for a Jan. 21 show at Star Theatre Singapore.

Midas Promotions, the promoters of her Singapore concert, announced in a statement, “We are currently focused on making sure ticket holders are refunded, and hope this process goes as smoothly as possible.”

Not all fans were sympathetic to her plight.

Some Australian fans – who were to see her for the first time downunder – posted on Live Nation’s Facebook that they had planned to give her tickets as Christmas presents.

Live Nation said that refunds may take up to three weeks because of the seasonal holidays.

One sent the message, “Wow really poor form…do your performance then go and “find yourself”!! This is the problem when they are to (sic) young and famous!! They don’t have the responsibility or respect that you just don’t cancel your tour unless you have something seriously wrong!!”