(NewsNation) — Music superstar Bad Bunny revealed the real reason why he is not touring in the continental U.S.
In an interview with i-D, Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Ocasio, said that the recent string of mass deportations happening under the Trump administration was the main reason why his upcoming “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” tour is skipping the U.S.
“Man, honestly, yes,” Bad Bunny said in response to a question on if he’s skipping the U.S. “out of concerns” for his Latino fans.
“There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate — I’ve performed there many times,” Bad Bunny stated. “All of (the shows) have been successful. All of them have been magnificent.”
Bad Bunny told i-D that he enjoys connecting with Latinos in the country, particularly in Puerto Rico and welcomed Latinos from the continental U.S. to visit Puerto Rico.
He continued, “But there was the issue of — like, f—— ICE could be outside (my concert). And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican residency
The “Me porto bonito” rapper launched his “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” residency in mid-July. The residency is set to end after 30 shows on Sept. 14.
The residency is projected to significantly boost the Puerto Rican economy, with hundreds of thousands of tourists expected to visit the country, according to i-D. The series of shows is projected to generate $200 million in revenue.
“I’ve done a lot of shows here in Puerto Rico, and I don’t think I’ve felt so much energy (before),” he said following the opening weekend of the residency. “The pride, the sense of homeland that unites generations.”