Pop icon Jennifer Lopez lit up the stage in Jeddah during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, her first performance at a Formula 1 event in over a decade and just 80 kilometres from Islam’s holiest site, Mecca.
The show, part of Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 push to diversify its entertainment and cultural offerings, quickly triggered sharp debate across the region.
Lopez, 55, arrived at the final F1 practice on Saturday wearing a striking pink zip-front catsuit, high ponytail, and stilettos, a Barbie-style outfit that drew as much attention as her high-energy set later that evening.
The Bronx-born superstar performed hits including On the Floor, Let's Get Loud, I’m Into You, and Ain't Your Mama, to a roaring crowd gathered at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Her appearance came alongside a star-studded international lineup, including Usher, Major Lazer, Peggy Gou, and Arab artists Marwan Pablo, Hisham Abbas, Mostafa Amar, and Hamid El-Shaeri.
But the bold performance quickly sparked criticism on social media, with many users calling Lopez's performance so close to Mecca "shameful" and "a direct insult to Islam".
Religious figures and social commentators criticised the move, arguing that such entertainment events are inappropriate so near to the sacred city and the Kaaba, revered by over a billion Muslims worldwide.
"Hosting a pop concert with dance and revealing attire so close to Mecca is deeply disrespectful," one user wrote on X. "Saudi Arabia must remember it holds the custodianship of Islam’s holiest sites."
Lopez previously stirred controversy after performing in Riyadh at the Elie Saab fashion show in December. Her return to the kingdom comes as the Saudi government pushes ahead with the kingdom’s PR stunt through entertainment and tourism.
Officials have defended the Vegas-style events as part of a broader strategy to open Saudi Arabia’s cultural and economic doors to the world. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, the country has welcomed global performers, launched film festivals, and hosted sporting events once considered unthinkable in the conservative country.
Despite the controversy, Lopez appeared in high spirits during her visit, spotted chatting in the paddock with Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali before her performance.
The singer later posted on Instagram: "To all my international JLovers, I’ll be doing a few select show dates over the summer. I can’t wait to see all of you. It’s gonna be an amazing summer."