Singer Melanie Martinez showed support for Palestine by bringing its flag to the stage during a concert in Paris, with her microphone cutting out while it was being unfurled, although there is no evidence that the two incidents are connected.
The American singer and songwriter rose to fame in 2012 after appearing on Season 3 of the television talent show The Voice. She is currently on her PORTALS Tour, which is her third international tour. It began on May 30, 2023 and is scheduled to end on February 6, 2024.
Her most recent performance took place on November 26 in Paris at the venue Zénith Paris—La Villette.
While performing her song “MILK OF THE SIREN,” Martinez’s backup dancers held the Palestinian flag behind her.
It comes as tensions have risen around the world following the surprise attack on southern Israel by Hamas fighters on October 7, which it said was retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
Israel declared war on Hamas and launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by extensive ground operations. At least 1,200 people were killed in Israel, with many hostages taken, and, on Tuesday, The Associated Press reported that more than 12,700 Palestinians had been killed so far, citing the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
In videos circulating online, Martinez’s microphone cuts out when the Palestinian flag is revealed—and now some fans on X, formerly Twitter, are implying this was done intentionally by the venue.
Newsweek reached out to Zénith Paris—La Villette and a Martinez spokesperson for comment via email on Monday.
“They cut off Melanie Martinez’s mic at the end the second she raised the Palestinian flag…” one person wrote.
“Thinking about the venue possibly muting Melanie Martinez on purpose at the very end of the show while she was raising a Palestine flag (she was also addressing about Palestine) uh…” said another.
Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images
“Melanie Martinez’s mic was cut immediately after she started to show her support for Palestine onstage at Zénith Paris—Villette, in France,” a third person wrote.
A fourth added: “Melanie Martinez’s microphone was turned off while performing “MILK OF THE SIREN” and showing support to Palestine tonight in Paris.”
However, not everyone thought this was an intentional act by the venue.
“Apparently it was an accident, the workers were panicking,” one person speculated.
Another claimed: “It was an accident, people who were sat next to the sound people said they saw them panicking to turn it back on.”
“It wasn’t on purpose,” someone else said.
Martinez is one of a number of celebrities who signed an open letter to U.S. President Joe Biden demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.