Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shook it off at American superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Toronto, Canada.
Trudeau, 52, was spotted by fans attending Swift’s concert on Nov 22 – the star’s second-last show in the city – with his family. He has two sons and a daughter with his ex-wife, Sophie Gregoire.
In now-viral videos, Trudeau could be seen dancing to the song You Don’t Own Me (1963) during a pre-show countdown prior to Swift’s appearance, and exchanging friendship bracelets with fellow Swifties.
His office confirmed his attendance at the show to Canadian news outlets.
Canada is the last stop on Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, which began in March 2023. The tour will officially wrap in Vancouver on Dec 8, after close to 150 shows.
It is the first concert tour to gross more than US$1bil in revenue and is the highest-grossing tour in history. Over its run, many famous faces such as American actor Tom Cruise and British royal Prince William were seen among the crowds.
But Trudeau’s appearance at the concert has sparked controversy.
On the same day he went to the gig, there were demonstrations in Montreal, which saw vehicles set on fire and shop windows smashed. Protesters also burnt an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and lit smoke bombs over the Israel-Gaza war.
According to AFP, the demonstrations were organised by pro-Palestinian and anti-capitalist groups on Nov 22 to coincide with the parliamentary assembly of the Nato in Montreal.
Trudeau’s political opponent, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, posted a video that said: “While Trudeau danced away, Montreal burned.”
Trudeau condemned the riots the following day on X.
He wrote: “What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling. Acts of anti-Semitism, intimidation and violence must be condemned wherever we see them… There must be consequences and rioters held accountable.” – The Straits Times/Asia News Network