Weird Al Rejects Lucrative Saudi Comedy Fest Invitation

WHO:

Fox News - "Weird Al" Yankovic, a 5-time Grammy-winning parody musician.

WHAT:

Fox News - Yankovic was offered "seven figures" to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival.

Deadline - Yankovic turned down the offer to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival.

WHERE:

Fox News - The event was the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia.

WHY:

Fox News - Yankovic stated that accepting the offer made him "feel icky."

Deadline - Yankovic expressed discomfort with accepting Saudi money for the performance.

HOW:

Deadline - Yankovic discussed his decision publicly, explaining his feelings about the offer.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 21:14 UTC)

"Weird Al" Yankovic, the five-time Grammy-winning parody musician, has turned down a lucrative offer of "seven figures" to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Yankovic stated that accepting the offer made him "feel icky" and expressed discomfort with the idea of taking Saudi money for the performance. He publicly discussed his decision, sharing his feelings about the offer and the reasons behind his choice.