Rihanna pulls out of festival due to Zika virus fears
- Published
Rihanna has reportedly pulled out of a festival in South America over fears about the Zika virus.
Organisers of Lollapalooza Colombia told ticket holders that a headline act had quit the show and they have now cancelled the event.
A local news publication, La Tercera,, external named Rihanna as the star in question.
Lana Del Rey, Disclosure, The Chainsmokers and Wiz Khalifa were also due to perform at the festival.
Full refund
Rihanna was never officially announced as the Lollapalooza Colombia festival headliner, with just ????? at the top of the bill on the most recent line-up.
"After the cancellation of the headline artist hours before the announcement of the cartel and facing major difficulties in finding a suitable replacement, festival organisers have been forced to cancel the inaugural Lollapalooza Colombia," said a statement, translated from Spanish.
"The organisers wish to express their deep appreciation to all the fans who supported the festival since day one, as well as the sponsors and the media partners."
Newsbeat has contacted Rihanna's record label for comment, but they have yet to respond.
Ticket holders are being offered a refund, external for the event.
Rihanna has been named as the ????? artist set to headline the show
The festival, which was due to take place in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, was to be the first Lollapalooza event of its kind.
The World Health Organisation declared the Zika outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in February 2016, leading to several countries issuing travel warnings to citizens.
The outbreak has caused great concern for athletes and spectators heading to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.
The Zika virus is relatively harmless to most people but a major concern for pregnant women.
It can spread to an unborn fetus and cause microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with under-developed brains and heads, leading to a number of physical and mental conditions.
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