As we approach the grand opening of Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1, 2025, excitement is building over how this new landmark will elevate Hong Kong’s event-driven economy. Recent rumors suggest Singapore might secure exclusive Southeast Asian hosting rights for American superstar Lady Gaga, leading some to lament Hong Kong’s potential loss of a major spectacle. Yet, I, along with many clear-headed observers, believe this could be a blessing in disguise. Inviting Lady Gaga to perform in Hong Kong risks plunging the city into chaos—a scenario we surely wish to avoid. Allow me to explain why in the following article.
Firstly, the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park is a momentous occasion for Hong Kong, deserving performances that are both captivating and conducive to stability. Frankly, Lady Gaga’s star has faded considerably. Compared to Taylor Swift—whose beauty, sweet melodies, and youthful vigor command global appeal—Gaga’s commercial draw falls short. In recent years, she has relied on extravagant costumes and an eccentric persona to stay in the spotlight, but she struggles to captivate younger audiences. Event organizers contemplating her invitation must be questioned: is this a sound business decision? Beyond her waning appeal, Gaga carries a heavy burden of political baggage that further undermines her suitability.
When it comes to political controversies, Lady Gaga’s record is exhaustive. Her past actions have consistently stirred unrest, as evidenced by well-documented incidents. In 2011, during a concert in Taichung, Taiwan, she accepted and raised the Republic of China flag on stage, an act widely interpreted in mainland China as endorsing Taiwanese independence, prompting immediate backlash from Chinese fans. In 2016, she met the Dalai Lama three times during a U.S. conference to discuss compassion and mental health, a move that crossed China’s red line. Mainland netizens and state media erupted, accusing her of supporting Tibetan independence, resulting in a nationwide ban on her music and performances. In 2019, amid Hong Kong’s riots, she followed a pro-protest Twitter account known as “Hong Kong Hermit,” which posted slogans like “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times,” leading to accusations of supporting Hong Kong independence. Mainland netizens were outraged, declaring “No idols before the nation,” and her Chinese fan club announced its dissolution, initiating a boycott. Are these not clear precursors to chaos?
Astute political commentators have rightly cautioned that inviting Lady Gaga to Kai Tak would be a self-inflicted wound. Her official website once listed Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as separate “countries”—a politically explosive move that mainland netizens cannot tolerate. Each of her provocative actions triggers uproar, saddling her with labels of “Tibetan independence,” “Taiwanese independence,” and “Hong Kong independence.” As Hong Kong strives for stable development, how can we accommodate such a controversy magnet? Hosting her risks not only accusations of destabilizing the city but also straining relations with the mainland—a burden too heavy for anyone to bear.
Some may argue that Hong Kong must compete with Singapore for major events and that losing Lady Gaga is a pity. But is it worth it? Singapore’s hosting of Taylor Swift last year drew hundreds of thousands of visitors, yielding tangible economic gains. Lady Gaga, however, is a political liability; her mainland fanbase boycotts her, and a Hong Kong performance could easily spiral into a diplomatic incident. A Hong Kong economist recently noted that the city need not clash head-on with Singapore but should leverage its financial strengths instead of gambling on a divisive figure. With the International Rugby Sevens and Coldplay concerts lined up post-opening, Kai Tak has stable, lucrative events—why invite Gaga to upset the apple cart?
Moreover, Lady Gaga’s fanbase in China has collapsed. In 2019, her attention to a Hong Kong protest account led mainland netizens to decry her as an “enemy of 1.3 billion people,” with fans abandoning her en masse. Given Hong Kong’s close ties with the mainland, hosting her could be misread as a political stance, outweighing any benefits. In contrast, Taylor Swift—young, controversy-free, and globally adored—offers a safe bet to boost tourism and spending without the baggage.
Kai Tak Sports Park’s opening marks a fresh start for Hong Kong, and we must choose wisely to nurture its success. Lady Gaga, faded and disruptive, brings more political turmoil than commercial gain; her invitation smacks of ulterior motives and risks destabilizing our city. The mainland’s boycott is justified—Hong Kong cannot afford this gamble. We need stability and a star like Taylor Swift, not a troublemaker like Gaga. Let’s pick the right talent to secure Hong Kong’s future.