Celebrities who have been banned from other countries

In an expletive-laden speech during the band’s headline performance on July 21, captured in videos shared widely on social media, Healy said he "made a mistake" while booking shows and added, “I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have *** with.” Same-*** acts are criminalized in Malaysia and punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison.

“Unfortunately, you don’t get a set of loads of uplifting songs because I’m [ ] furious. And that’s not fair on you, because you’re not representative of your government. You are young people, and I’m sure a lot of you are gay and progressive,” he told the audience. Healy added that the band considered canceling the show but decided not to disappoint fans. "I’ll take your money, you can ban me, but I’ve done this before and it doesn’t feel good,” Healy said before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald on stage. Their set was cut short and the Ministry of Communications and Digital not only canceled the rest of the festival but also banned The 1975 from performing in Malaysia.

But LGBTQ+ Malaysians and activists don't view Healy's stunt as helpful, and actually suggest that their "purely performative activism," which risks hardly anything for them regarding their livelihood, has pushed back all the progress made so far in the country. They say Healy's actions will only make life for the Malaysian LGBTQ+ community worse and make it more difficult for music artists to perform in the country.

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The 1975 -

A Twitter thread by Joe Lee, echoed by many others, read, “If anything, what Matt Healy and The 1975 have done is discount and disrupted YEARS of work by local activists who have been pushing for change and understanding AND endangering our vulnerable minority communities." He said the festival was right to cancel as it wouldn't have been safe with more queer friendly artists playing and could result in "disastrous" consequences. He went on: “Every country has its laws. Foreigners don’t get to come in and [ ] on us and tell us how to do things, especially when they only make it worse for us." Lee continued, "The real victims of this situation are 1. The Malaysian LGBTQ+ community, who are ow left to deal with the aftermath. 2. The Malaysia live concert industry which is struggling to bounce back post pandemic.”

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Joe Biden, Morgan Freeman, and Mark Zuckerberg -

Banned from: Russia

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, high-ranking Russian officials and oligarchs have faced harsh sanctions and travel bans. In response, Putin released a "blacklist" of 963 US citizens he has banned from entering Russia. The list includes outspoken political adversaries like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as their spouses. Hillary Clinton also made the list, but former President Donald Trump was notably absent. Hundreds of US politicians from both the democratic and republican parties were included, as well as several tech executives and leaders of news media outlets. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft President Brad Smith were blacklisted, along with journalists from publications like the New York Times, CNN, and The Post. Fox News was left unscathed.

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Joe Biden, Morgan Freeman, and Mark Zuckerberg -

Only two Hollywood names were included on the list: film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and actor Morgan Freeman. Freeman was listed as “a well-known film actor who in September 2017 recorded a video message accusing Russia of conspiring against the United States and calling for a fight against our country.” Regardless, the lengthy blacklist is unlikely to disrupt anyone's travel plans.

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Beyoncé - Banned from: Malaysia.

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Beyoncé -

Malaysia has banned Bey for promoting "Western **** performances."

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Chris Brown - Banned from: the UK and Australia.

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Chris Brown - Chris Brown isn't allowed entry in these two countries because of his domestic violence conviction. Brown was found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

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Justin Bieber - Banned from: Argentina and China.

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Justin Bieber - According to Time, Biebs allegedly assaulted a photographer in Argentina and disrespected the country's flag during a concert. He's also banned from China for being a "badly behaved entertainer."

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Brad Pitt - Banned from: China.

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Brad Pitt - Pitt was not allowed in China because of his movie 'Seven Years in Tibet.' The film depicts the 14th Dalai Lama in a positive way and shines a negative light on Communist military officers. But Pitt returned to the country in 2016.

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Sacha Baron Cohen - Banned from: Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

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Sacha Baron Cohen - The nature of the comedian's movies 'The Dictator' and 'Borat' got him banned from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

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Selena Gomez - Banned from: China and Russia.

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Selena Gomez - Selena was banned from Russia for supporting LGBTQ rights. She was barred from entering China over a picture she took with the Dalai Lama.

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The Beatles - Banned from: the Philippines.

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The Beatles - In 1966, the band were banned from the Philippines after declining a breakfast invitation from the country's First Lady.

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Lady Gaga - Banned from: Indonesia.

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Lady Gaga -

Gaga was barred from entering Indonesia: the Islamic Defenders Front called her a "destroyer of morals."

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Björk - Banned from: China.

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Björk -

The Icelandic singer was banned from entering China after finishing a concert in Shanghai with a "Tibet" chant.

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Tyler, The Creator - Banned from: the UK and New Zealand.

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Tyler, The Creator - The rapper has been dubbed "a threat to public order" in the UK and New Zealand due to some of his lyrics, according to The Guardian.

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Harrison Ford - Banned from: China.

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Harrison Ford - Ford has been denied entry in China since 1995 for his outspoken stance on Tibet's independence.

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Jay-Z - Banned from: China.

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Jay-Z - Jay was banned from China because of his "vulgar" lyrics, per NME.

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Alec Baldwin - Banned from: the Philippines.

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Alec Baldwin - The actor was banned from the country for making a joke about "Filipino mail-order brides."

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Miley Cyrus - Banned from: China and the Dominican Republic.

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Miley Cyrus - Miley was banned from China for taking an offensive photo in which she's squinting her eyes. She is also banned from performing in the Dominican Republic as her acts "go against morals and customs" in the country.

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Akon - Banned from: Sri Lanka.

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Akon - The singer is banned from Sri Lanka because his '**** Chick' video features a raunchy pool party in front of a Buddha statue.

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Katy Perry - Banned from: China.

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Katy Perry - Katy Perry has apparently been banned from China for wearing a Taiwanese flag during one of her concerts.

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Martin Scorsese - Banned from: China.

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Martin Scorsese - The director's 1997 movie 'Kundun' angered Chinese officials for its portrayal of the Dalai Lama's early years.

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Boy George - Banned from: the United States.

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Boy George - In 2008, the singer was denied a visa to enter the US because of a trial he was facing back in the UK, as reported by The Telegraph.

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Kesha - Banned from: Malaysia.

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Kesha - The pop star was banned from performing in Malaysia after authorities claimed her show would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities.

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Martha Stewart - Banned from: the UK.

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Martha Stewart - Stewart wasn't allowed to enter the UK because of her criminal convictions in the US.

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Mike Tyson - Banned from: New Zealand.

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Mike Tyson - The former boxer was denied entry into New Zealand for his 1992 conviction, according to The Guardian.

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Paris Hilton - Banned from: Japan.

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Paris Hilton - The Hilton heiress is not allowed in Japan because of her criminal record.

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Russell Brand - Banned from: Japan and Canada.

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Russell Brand - Russell Brand is banned from these two countries for his previous substance convictions.

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Snoop Dogg - Banned from: Norway.

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Snoop Dogg - The West Coast rapper was banned from the Nordic nation for two years after trying to smuggle in marijuana.

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Elton John - Banned from: Egypt.

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Elton John - Elton John was allegedly prevented from performing in Egypt for being gay, according to The Guardian.

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Lily Allen - Banned from: United States.

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Lily Allen - Even though the ban has since been lifted, the singer wasn't allowed to enter the US in 2007 after she was arrested for hitting a paparazzi in London.

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Christian Slater - Banned from: Canada.

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Christian Slater - Slater is banned from Canada because of a past DUI conviction.

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Busta Rhymes - Banned from: the UK.

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Busta Rhymes - The rapper was stopped from entering the UK because he had "unresolved convictions" back in the US.

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Jon Bon Jovi - Banned from: China.

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Jon Bon Jovi - The whole of the Bon Jovi band were banned from China for featuring an image of the Dalai Lama during a concert in Taiwan.

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50 Cent - Banned from: Canada.

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50 Cent -

The rapper was banned from Canada because of his criminal record and alleged violence-promoting lyrics.

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The 1975 -

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The 1975 -

Getty Images

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Joe Biden, Morgan Freeman, and Mark Zuckerberg -

Banned from: Russia

Getty Images

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Joe Biden, Morgan Freeman, and Mark Zuckerberg -

Getty Images

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Beyoncé - Banned from: Malaysia.

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Beyoncé -

Malaysia has banned Bey for promoting "Western **** performances."

Getty Images

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Chris Brown - Banned from: the UK and Australia.

7 / 65 Fotos

Chris Brown - Chris Brown isn't allowed entry in these two countries because of his domestic violence conviction. Brown was found guilty of assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

8 / 65 Fotos

Justin Bieber - Banned from: Argentina and China.

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Brad Pitt - Banned from: China.

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Sacha Baron Cohen - Banned from: Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

13 / 65 Fotos

Sacha Baron Cohen - The nature of the comedian's movies 'The Dictator' and 'Borat' got him banned from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

14 / 65 Fotos

Selena Gomez - Banned from: China and Russia.

15 / 65 Fotos

Selena Gomez - Selena was banned from Russia for supporting LGBTQ rights. She was barred from entering China over a picture she took with the Dalai Lama.

16 / 65 Fotos

The Beatles - Banned from: the Philippines.

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The Beatles - In 1966, the band were banned from the Philippines after declining a breakfast invitation from the country's First Lady.

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Lady Gaga - Banned from: Indonesia.

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Lady Gaga -

Gaga was barred from entering Indonesia: the Islamic Defenders Front called her a "destroyer of morals."

20 / 65 Fotos

Björk - Banned from: China.

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Björk -

The Icelandic singer was banned from entering China after finishing a concert in Shanghai with a "Tibet" chant.

Getty Images

22 / 65 Fotos

Tyler, The Creator - Banned from: the UK and New Zealand.

23 / 65 Fotos

Tyler, The Creator - The rapper has been dubbed "a threat to public order" in the UK and New Zealand due to some of his lyrics, according to The Guardian.

24 / 65 Fotos

Harrison Ford - Banned from: China.

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Harrison Ford - Ford has been denied entry in China since 1995 for his outspoken stance on Tibet's independence.

26 / 65 Fotos

Jay-Z - Banned from: China.

27 / 65 Fotos

Jay-Z - Jay was banned from China because of his "vulgar" lyrics, per NME.

28 / 65 Fotos

Alec Baldwin - Banned from: the Philippines.

29 / 65 Fotos

Alec Baldwin - The actor was banned from the country for making a joke about "Filipino mail-order brides."

30 / 65 Fotos

Miley Cyrus - Banned from: China and the Dominican Republic.

31 / 65 Fotos

32 / 65 Fotos

Akon - Banned from: Sri Lanka.

33 / 65 Fotos

Akon - The singer is banned from Sri Lanka because his '**** Chick' video features a raunchy pool party in front of a Buddha statue.

34 / 65 Fotos

Katy Perry - Banned from: China.

35 / 65 Fotos

Katy Perry - Katy Perry has apparently been banned from China for wearing a Taiwanese flag during one of her concerts.

36 / 65 Fotos

Martin Scorsese - Banned from: China.

37 / 65 Fotos

Martin Scorsese - The director's 1997 movie 'Kundun' angered Chinese officials for its portrayal of the Dalai Lama's early years.

38 / 65 Fotos

Boy George - Banned from: the United States.

39 / 65 Fotos

Boy George - In 2008, the singer was denied a visa to enter the US because of a trial he was facing back in the UK, as reported by The Telegraph.

40 / 65 Fotos

Kesha - Banned from: Malaysia.

41 / 65 Fotos

Kesha - The pop star was banned from performing in Malaysia after authorities claimed her show would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities.

42 / 65 Fotos

Martha Stewart - Banned from: the UK.

43 / 65 Fotos

Martha Stewart - Stewart wasn't allowed to enter the UK because of her criminal convictions in the US.

44 / 65 Fotos

Mike Tyson - Banned from: New Zealand.

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Mike Tyson - The former boxer was denied entry into New Zealand for his 1992 conviction, according to The Guardian.

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Paris Hilton - Banned from: Japan.

47 / 65 Fotos

Paris Hilton - The Hilton heiress is not allowed in Japan because of her criminal record.

48 / 65 Fotos

Russell Brand - Banned from: Japan and Canada.

49 / 65 Fotos

Russell Brand - Russell Brand is banned from these two countries for his previous substance convictions.

50 / 65 Fotos

Snoop Dogg - Banned from: Norway.

51 / 65 Fotos

Snoop Dogg - The West Coast rapper was banned from the Nordic nation for two years after trying to smuggle in marijuana.

52 / 65 Fotos

Elton John - Banned from: Egypt.

53 / 65 Fotos

Elton John - Elton John was allegedly prevented from performing in Egypt for being gay, according to The Guardian.

54 / 65 Fotos

Lily Allen - Banned from: United States.

55 / 65 Fotos

Lily Allen - Even though the ban has since been lifted, the singer wasn't allowed to enter the US in 2007 after she was arrested for hitting a paparazzi in London.

56 / 65 Fotos

Christian Slater - Banned from: Canada.

57 / 65 Fotos

Christian Slater - Slater is banned from Canada because of a past DUI conviction.

58 / 65 Fotos

Busta Rhymes - Banned from: the UK.

59 / 65 Fotos

Busta Rhymes - The rapper was stopped from entering the UK because he had "unresolved convictions" back in the US.

60 / 65 Fotos

Jon Bon Jovi - Banned from: China.

61 / 65 Fotos

Jon Bon Jovi - The whole of the Bon Jovi band were banned from China for featuring an image of the Dalai Lama during a concert in Taiwan.

62 / 65 Fotos

50 Cent - Banned from: Canada.

63 / 65 Fotos

50 Cent -

The rapper was banned from Canada because of his criminal record and alleged violence-promoting lyrics.

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Celebrities who have been banned from other countries

Certain countries have banned these celebrities from visiting!

07/11/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Banned

Being famous comes with a lot of benefits, including opportunities to travel all around the world, but it also means that there's a higher level of scrutiny surrounding a celebrity's behavior or political stance—and some countries are not having it.

Click through this gallery to find out which other stars have been banned from traveling to certain countries!