Many Malaysian stars have tirelessly shown support for Palestine amidst the ongoing genocide, even if it meant risking their image. Recently, singer Yuna revealed how being outspoken about the issue has affected her career.
The 39-year-old recently opened up about the changes she noticed in her career since she began using her platform to speak up on the genocide happening in Palestine. Yuna said she lost many job opportunities, in addition to having to reject some, likely because the brands are on the boycott list. The singer also mentioned losing friends along the way because they couldn’t accept her outspoken support.
The star, whose full name is Yunalis Mat Zara’ai, also revealed that she no longer receives invitations to international music festivals and events, suggesting it’s because she supports Palestine. However, it’s unknown if she had also rejected any offers, like she does with boycotted brands. Additionally, the “Crush” singer said she lost thousands of followers on social media since she began posting about the genocide.
Yuna admitted that she had felt hopeless when speaking up about the conflicts, revealing her disappointment when people she works with are oblivious to the issue. She also admitted to cutting ties with some acquaintances who don’t support the oppressed people of Palestine. However, she said she will continue boycotting brands and speaking out, expressing hope that the State of Palestine will be free from the brutality.
Besides using her social media to shed light on the issue, Yuna and her husband, director Adam Sinclair, have helped establish Freedom Football, a football fundraiser initiative. With each event, Freedom Football helps raise funds for outreach missions for Palestinians affected by the war. The singer’s apparel brand, YZ Label, also channels 15% of its profits towards humanitarian efforts, including victims of genocide.
It’s sad to learn that a talented star like Yuna is finding it hard to maintain her career while showing support for Palestine. However, we hope she won’t give up helping the oppressed. For those interested, here are more details about Freedom Football’s upcoming event:
