Selena Gomez Cancels Russia Concerts Over Politicized Visa Issue

American pop singer Selena Gomez, 21, has knocked two tour dates in Russia off her “Star Dance” tour due to complications with securing a visa. Following performances by Lady Gaga and Madonna in the country, Russian authorities have made it more difficult for foreign performers to get visas for cultural events.

Gaga and Madonna both denounced Russia’s new anti-gay laws. Gaga told her crowd, “Tonight, this is my house Russia. You can be gay in my house.”

The Russian Entertainment Academy, the concert promoters, said, “The situation is a result of the scandals over the Madonna, Lady Gaga and Bloodhound Gang concerts, after which the Russian authorities changed procedures for issuing visas to foreign musical and artistic groups.”

Gomez’s representatives confirmed the concerts were scrapped, but didn’t cite specific reasons. A U.S. petition on Change.org condemning Russia’s new laws has gained nearly 14,000 signatures; the site specifically beseeched Gomez to cancel her tour dates.

Cher recently declined to perform at the coming Winter Olympics in Russia due to Putin’s new legislation, and said the decision was a “no brainer.”

No statement from Gomez has cleared up whether the star buckled due to pressure from human rights campaigners or the logistics of the visa.