Kanye West's UK travel ban leads to Wireless Festival cancellation

Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Sacha Baron Cohen, Katy Perry, The Beatles, Richard Gere, Gigi Hadid, Martin Scorsese, Tyler, the Creator, Martha Stewart, Chris Brown, Miley Cyrus, Alec Baldwin, Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Harrison Ford, Selena Gomez, Bon Jovi, Christian Slater, Boy George

The rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has been banned from entering the United Kingdom, leading to the cancellation of the Wireless Festival, which he was set to headline in July. The UK Home Office decided to reject his travel application based on concerns about his controversial reputation.

Officials said the move was based on concerns that his presence would not be “conducive to the public good.” Festival organizers confirmed the cancellation on April 7, noting that ticket refunds would be issued and acknowledging the broader impact of controversial statements linked to the artist.

The rapper had been announced in late March as the headliner for all three days of the event, marking a major return to the UK more than a decade after his last performance at Glastonbury in 2015.

Celebrities often enjoy global access, but their actions can come under intense scrutiny. In some cases, that has led to bans from entire countries. Explore this gallery to discover which other celebrities have faced such restrictions.

Brad Pitt

The A-lister was previously not allowed in China because of his movie 'Seven Years in Tibet' (1997). The film depicts the 14th Dalai Lama positively and shines a negative light on Communist military officers. However, Pitt returned to the country in 2016.

Lady Gaga

Just three weeks before a sold-out 2012 concert, Indonesian officials denied Gaga's permit to perform in the country. The Islamic Defenders Front called her a "destroyer of morals."

Justin Bieber

According to Time, Bieber allegedly assaulted a photographer in Argentina and disrespected the country's flag during a concert. He was denied entry when he tried to plan another tour there. He's also banned from China for being a "badly behaved entertainer."

Sacha Baron Cohen

The nature of the comedian's movies 'The Dictator' (2012) and 'Borat' (2006) got him banned from both Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. However, the ban was lifted in Kazakhstan thanks to the influx of tourism the movie brought the country.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry was banned indefinitely from China, when authorities uncovered photos of her wearing a sunflower dress during a performance in Taiwan. Anti-China demonstrators had, in fact, adopted the sunflower as a sign of resistance. Chinese officials interpreted this as a not-so-subtle jab at the dispute with Taiwan.

The Beatles

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

Richard Gere

The actor has been vocal about his support for Tibetan rights for decades. He has traveled to the region, and even met with the Dalai Lama. In 1993, he went off-script as an Oscar presenter to protest China’s presence in Tibet. As a result, the Chinese government imposed a travel ban on him.

Gigi Hadid

In 2017, the model missed the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai due to her visa being denied. It's believed it was due to a video in which she appears to narrow her eyes, attempting to imitate the Buddha-shaped cookie she was holding.

Martin Scorsese

Another banned celebrity in China, the director's 1997 movie 'Kundun' angered Chinese officials for its portrayal of the Dalai Lama's early years.

Björk

The Icelandic singer was banned from entering China after chanting "Tibet" over and over at the end of a Shanghai concert in 2008.

Tyler, the Creator

In 2014, the rapper was dubbed "a threat to public order" and banned from entering New Zealand due to some of his lyrics. Not long after, Australia and the UK implemented similar bans.

Martha Stewart

In 2008, Stewart wasn't allowed to enter the UK because of her criminal convictions in the US.

Chris Brown

Both the UK (2010) and Australia (2015) denied the singer a tour visa due to his conviction for his assault of then girlfriend Rihanna. The UK ban has since been lifted, and in 2023 he came back for a number of concerts.

Miley Cyrus

Back in her 'Hannah Montana' days, Cyrus was banned from China for taking an offensive photo featuring her mocking Asian eyes. She's also banned from performing in the Dominican Republic as her acts "go against morals and customs" in the country.

Alec Baldwin

Baldwin was banned from the Philippines for making a joke about "Filipino mail-order brides."

Mike Tyson

In 2012, Tyson was forced to cancel a speaking tour in New Zealand after his visa was denied. The country regularly denies entry to those with "substantial criminal records," and his 1992 rape conviction didn't let him in.

Snoop Dogg

In 2012, the rapper was banned from entering Norway for two years after being arrested for marijuana possession.

Paris Hilton

In 2010, the heiress was denied entry into Japan due to a recent minor drug-related offense. Hilton’s sentence included a year of probation, and Japan typically doesn't allow foreigners on probation to enter the country.

Akon

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

Kesha

The singer faced a ban in Malaysia in 2013 after authorities claimed her show would hurt cultural and religious sensitivities.

Jay-Z

The Chinese government banned Jay-Z from performing in the country because of his "vulgar" lyrics.

Beyoncé

Queen B has been banned from Malaysia for promoting "Western sexy performances." In 2007, she even called off a concert over a dress code that required female performers to fully cover up from the shoulders to the knees, with no cleavage showing.