Ryan Seacrest branded ‘promote out’ after Saudi Arabia gig

Ryan Seacrest is drawing backlash after showing as a keynote speaker at a government-sponsored leisure summit in Saudi Arabia.

Critics have accused the WOF host of aligning with a regime widely condemned for human rights abuses.

Seacrest took the stage at Joy Forum 2025, a major event held in Riyadh and arranged by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

The event is a part of the nation’s Vision 2030 plan to develop its leisure sector and soften its global picture.

It was chaired by Turki Alalshikh, an in depth aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Reaction on-line was swift and largely vital.

“That man will do literally anything for a check,” one Reddit person wrote.”I’m not shocked.”

Another wrote, “Sell out.”

The Joy Forum promotes itself as a global assembly point for media executives.

But rights teams have criticized such efforts as picture rehab for a rustic accused of stifling dissent and focusing on journalists.

Human Rights Watch said Saudi Arabia makes use of high-profile occasions “to deflect attention from brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations.”

Alalshikh, seen as considered one of the Crown Prince’s key advisers, used the event to announce new offers in leisure.

These included a partnership with Warner Music and Atlantic Records, in addition to upcoming initiatives with basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.

The nation also revealed plans to host WrestleMania 2027, a first exterior the United States, and launch a global boxing league with UFC President Dana White.

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O’Neal, who has labored with the Kingdom before, is considered as a high-profile Western determine selling Saudi Arabia’s leisure ambitions.

His involvement has confronted scrutiny alongside Seacrest’s.

“Ryan Seacrest and Shaq would promote state-sanctioned murder if they got a check for it,” one Reddit person commented.

Earlier this fall, the Riyadh Comedy Festival sparked an identical wave of criticism for reserving U.S. comedians despite Saudi Arabia’s tight controls on speech.

The event featured performers like Bill Burr and Pete Davidson. Their participation shocked some followers.

“Sometimes in order to fight the power, you need to be paid by the power,” comic Vinny Thomas wrote on X.