Animal activists move to have Taylor Swift’s Melbourne Cup gig cancelled

Taylor Swift will perform at the Melbourne Cup in November — but the announcement has been met with backlash.

Taylor Swift is heading to Australia to take part in one of our biggest national events, but not everyone is happy about it.

The star’s decision to perform at the race that stops the nation has caused outrage among animal activists, who have taken to social media in an attempt to have the performance cancelled.

Victoria Racing Club announced today that the 10-time Grammy Award-winning singer will appear at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day on November 5.

Swift, 29, will perform two songs from her critically-acclaimed new album, Lover, ahead of the famous $8 million race.

Swift is heading to Melbourne. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

But following the announcement, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses was quick to launch a social media campaign asking Swift to say #NupToTheCup.

“Taylor Swift has put money before compassion by agreeing to perform at the 2019 Melbourne Cup,” the group posted.

“Horses are being killed for gambling profits and entertainment. If Taylor Swift cares at all about other animals the way she appears to care about cats, she will cancel her show and make a strong statement that animal abuse is unacceptable.

“Head on over to Twitter and politely ask @TaylorSwift13 to say #NupToTheCup,” it read.

Swift had expressed her excitement over the big event in a statement published in the Herald Sun today.

“I can’t wait to come to Melbourne, and I can’t wait to come to the Melbourne Cup,” she said “I’ve heard so much about the race.”

It will be her only Australian performance.

The announcement follows a report in the Herald Sun last month that race officials were in talks to secure either Swift, Shawn Mendes or Camila Cabelo to perform on the big day.

Mendes, Swift and Cabelo were all considered. Picture: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

So far, the Facebook post by the non-profit organisation has been inundated with comments from people expressing their disappointed over Swift’s decision.

“I thought she was an animal lover? What a hypocrite,” one user said, while others said they had messaged the star on Instagram urging her to cancel.

On Twitter, fans have begged the star to call it off:

@taylorswift13 as a massive fan, begging you please don’t perform at Melbourne cup, it profits off cruelty to animals & gambling #saynuptothecup

— Lou (@hardtoexplain91) September 12, 2019

Here are some facts for @taylorswift13 to consider. Time to put compassion before $$. Please reconsider and cancel your performance at the Melbourne Cup. https://t.co/MyK7XXe08T #HorseRacingKills #NupToTheCup #FuckTheCup pic.twitter.com/2VR2pWb4vK

— Shane Bazzi (@shanebazzi) September 12, 2019

As a big fan of @taylorswift13 and someone who's been a wonderful role model for my daughter, this news was truly disappointing 😢 @taylorswift13 please don't support an event that promotes gambling and animal cruelty!! #nuptothecup https://t.co/r9wbPEgDNf

— Sandy (@jovidolphin23) September 12, 2019

Horses are being killed for gambling profits and entertainment. If she cares about other animals the way she appears to care about cats, she will cancel her show at he Melbourne Cup and make a strong statement that animal abuse is unacceptable.@TaylorSwift13 Say #NupToTheCup

— #Jo V Hanna (@tunks_johanna) September 12, 2019

@taylorswift13 I was hoping the rumours weren't true, please play ANY other event, not the Melbourne Cup... it's such a heinous event #nuptothecup

— DaniSlocombe (@DaniSlocombe) September 11, 2019