Pop superstar Jennifer Lopez is officially set to perform in Yerevan on August 3 as part of the “World Star Armenia Tour,” replacing the previously announced Snoop Dogg.
The Armenian government confirmed the update this week, stating that the concert will proceed without any increase to the originally allocated budget. However, emerging details about the funding have sparked growing public scrutiny.
The concert, scheduled to take place at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, is part of Armenia’s broader cultural strategy to attract global attention through large-scale entertainment events. Initially funded in 2023 with a state allocation of 2.318 billion AMD (approximately $6 million, including VAT), the project aims to promote cultural tourism and enhance Armenia’s international profile.
According to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (MoESCS), the delay in organizing the event was due to the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and the mass displacement of Armenians, which made it impractical to proceed with Snoop Dogg’s planned concert.
The ministry, in collaboration with its implementing partner Doping Space LLC, signed a legally binding agreement with Lopez’s representatives. The contract finalizes her participation, with no additional budgetary allocations required. Planning and procurement are being carried out through streamlined procedures, allowing for single-source purchasing to handle complex international logistics. Makar Petrosyan, who owns 51% of the company’s shares, is the son of former Republican Party MP Aleksan Petrosyan (known as “MAP’s Alik”).
Despite government claims that the budget remains unchanged, new details regarding spending have raised concerns about transparency and fiscal responsibility.
According to investigative reports by Azatutyun (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty), a portion of the $6 million allocation has been earmarked for various high-cost items, including:
- 14.4 million AMD (approx. $37,000) for Jennifer Lopez’s personal food expenses over two days
- 6 million AMD for meals for her team
- 3.8 million AMD for catering for the dressing room staff
- 4 million AMD for Lopez’s stay at Dvin Hotel
- 71.5 million AMD for accommodation expenses across multiple hotels in Yerevan
- 2.5 million AMD for the co-executive producer
- 5.8 million AMD for the concert’s program producer
- 29.4 million AMD for technical management services
The high-profile concert is part of Armenia’s wider strategy to position itself as a destination for international cultural events, supporting the goals outlined in the country’s 2023–2027 Cultural Strategy. The initiative aims to enhance cultural tourism, boost Armenia’s global visibility, and support the development of creative industries.
Following the event, Doping Space LLC will be required to submit a detailed financial and content report within 60 days. The report must include audience metrics, media coverage, and documentation of expenses.
