Lollapalooza Colombia canceled because Rihanna is scared of Zika

By Alex McLevy | July 5, 2016 | 5:14pm

Aux Features Music

It appears South America’s northernmost country is going to have to wait a little longer for the opportunity to pay way too much for a bottle of water. According to Consequence Of Sound, the first-ever Lollapalooza Colombia has been canceled, largely because Rihanna is worried about getting a mosquito bite. The inaugural festival, scheduled for September 17 and 18 in Bogotá’s Simón Bolívar Park, was to feature the “Work“ singer as headliner, along with acts such as Lana Del Rey, Wiz Khalifa, Anderson .Paak, Disclosure, and Silversun Pickups. But Colombian news outlets began reporting Rihanna had concerns about the Zika virus, and pulled out of the event due to her fears of the disease. (For the record: It’s like the flu, only not as bad, so unless you’re pregnant, everyone stop with the Zika panic.)

The festival posted a statement on its site shortly thereafter, confirming everything except the part where Rihanna was freaked out about Zika. “After its lead artist canceled just hours before the festival was slated to announce the lineup, and faced with difficulties in finding the right replacement, the organizers of the festival have been forced to cancel the inaugural Lollapalooza Colombia,” it tactfully read, without so much as a “‘Work’? Not this week,” joke. Those who purchased tickets will receive full refunds.