Singer Beyonce Knowles smiles during a promotional event for Japan's fashion brand Samantha Thavasa's new collection in collaboration with Disney in Chiba, east of Tokyo August 10, 2009.
Singer Beyonce Knowles smiles during a promotional event for Japan's fashion brand Samantha Thavasa's new collection in collaboration with Disney in Chiba, east of Tokyo August 10, 2009. Reuters

According to reports by The New York Times and a document obtained by WikiLeaks, several of the hottest pop stars in the world such as Beyoncé, Usher, and Mariah Carey were paid extravagant amounts to perform for members of Moammar Gaddafi's family.

The Times reported that Gaddafi's son Muatassim, Libya's national security adviser, hired Beyoncé and Usher to perform at his New Year's Eve party in St. Barts. Gaddafi's other son, Seif al-Islam el-Gaddafi, allegedly paid singer Mariah Carey $1-million to sing four songs at last year's New Year's part in St. Barts.

While the New York Times reports that the United States welcomed Gaddafi's regime during the Bush administration as an ally in the war on terrorism, these pop stars are being criticized for accepting money from a violent and oppressive regime.

It is not uncommon for pop stars to be hired to perform at private events, but it could be argued that performing for the Gaddafi family and taking their money could be construed as condoning the family's actions and politics.

The New York Times New York Wikileaks The New York Times