‘Weird Al’ Says He Turned Down Seven-Figure Saudi Comedy Festival Payday

LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — “Weird Al” Yankovic says he declined a seven-figure offer to perform at the 2025 Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, explaining that he could not accept a payday that made him feel uncomfortable despite it being the largest single-show offer of his career.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival featured performances by several prominent comedians, including Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Louis C.K., and Aziz Ansari. Other comedians, including Marc Maron, Shane Gillis, and Zach Woods, publicly criticized performers who appeared at the event.

The 65-year-old parody music icon discussed the decision during a recent interview with TribLIVE, revealing he was offered more than seven figures to perform a single show at the festival.

Yankovic said the financial offer was unlike anything he had previously received but ultimately decided against participating.

“I don’t think I’ve mentioned this anywhere, but I was invited to the Riyadh Comedy Festival… They offered me, I’m not going to say how much, but it was seven figures to do one show, which is way more than I’ve ever been offered in my life to do a show,” Yankovic said.

“But I just couldn’t be part of that.”

The Grammy-winning performer emphasized that he was not criticizing fellow comedians who accepted invitations to the festival.

“I’m not dissing anybody that took the money because I’m sure everybody that went there got a lot of money,” he said. “I’m doing enough that I don’t need to take any amount of money if it makes me feel icky, and that kind of did.”

The festival was held as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to expand its entertainment industry and attract major international performers. However, the kingdom’s cultural initiatives have also generated criticism from human rights organizations over the country’s record on free speech and civil liberties.

Yankovic said the invitation came up while discussing endorsement offers he has declined throughout his career, noting that he now has the freedom to reject opportunities that conflict with his personal values.

Known for parody hits including “Eat It,” “Amish Paradise,” and “White & Nerdy,” Yankovic has built a career spanning more than four decades and remains one of the most successful comedy recording artists in music history.

He is currently touring North America on his “Bigger & Weirder Tour,” which is scheduled to continue through mid-October.

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