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03/29/2024 11:21:04 am

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20-Minute Live Chat Between Lady Gaga and the Dalai Lama Causes Some Chinese Fans to get mad at Singer

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(Photo : David McNew/Getty Images) Singer Lady Gaga reads some of the names of the dead at a vigil for the worst mass shooing in United States history on June 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, United States. She recently met with the Dalai Lama in Indianapolis sparking anger from her Chinese fans.

Lady Gaga met with the Tibetan spiritual leader on Sunday via a 20-minute Facebook live session, causing some Chinese fans to comment negatively.

It remains unclear if Lady Gaga will still be allowed to perform in China after meeting with the Dalai Lama, as many are speculating that she might not be permitted to do so. Lady Gaga is one of the most popular Western musicians in China.

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China sees the Dalai Lama as a figurehead for Tibetan separatism. The Dalai Lama says that he is now advocating middle way with China, noting that he wants autonomy for Tibet but not independence.

Although some Chinese fans have expressed their support for Lady Gaga regarding her meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, these have been censored by China. More than 2,000 social media users in China have reacted to one post from user MusicWar, calling for rational views on the issue, BBC reported.

Others called Lady Gaga stupid and ignorant for mot being politically sensitive to her Chinese fans. One wrote that she has given up on the Chinese market.

Another fan defended her, saying that Lady Gaga should not be ashamed for going over the Chinese firewall. Another commenter said that people should just respect her choices. 

This is not the first time that a Western artist has been condemned by Chinese citizens because of connection to the Dalai Lama. Selena Gomez had to cancel her August 2016 tour dates in Guangzhou and Shanghai, as she reportedly posted a photo of her with the Dalai Lama.

Bon Jovi cancelled his gigs in Shanghai and Beijing last year because he featured the Dalai Lama in his previous performances.

Last July, a Maroon 5 member tweeted about the Dalai Lama, resulting in their September tour in Shanghai being cancelled.

The Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga met at the 84th annual Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis on Sunday. The two talked about addiction, mental health, and suicide, Billboard reported. 

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