Alicia Keys has come under fire from the organization Tobacco Free Kids, after a cigarette company was named as the major sponsor of her performance this Thursday night in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The campaigners sent a letter to Keys after promotion for her concert was touted as a ‘Mild Live Production’, referencing a brand of cigarette owned by Sampoerna, a division of tobacco giant Philip Morris International.“The sponsorship materials for the July 31 concert include massive billboards ringing the city which effectively make your face and name part of a tobacco advertisement for ‘A Mild’ cigarettes,” the letter to the singer states.
Keys promptly responded to the controversy saying, “When I was informed that my July 31 As I Am concert in Jakarta, Indonesia was partly sponsored by a tobacco company, I immediately asked for an investigation and that corrective actions be taken.
“As a result, the tobacco company has respectfully withdrawn their sponsorship and all billboards, signage and other forms of advertising will be immediately removed.”
The Celebrity Truth
