Nkonkonsa Celebrity Gossip From Africa
Wiyalaa has provided her perspective on the erroneous web rumors that her industry colleague Shatta Wale had his crew prevent the presentation of a Citation of Merit to her at this year’s SummerStageNYC.
One of New York’s most cherished, widely available, free outdoor performing arts festivals, SummerStage features live acts in many genres.
Wiyaala reportedly refused to take the Citation of Merit backstage after her colleague Shatta Wale had received it on stage, according to a report by Ghbase.com
He assumed this combative stance, it was revealed, after Vanessa L. Gibson, the president of the Bronx Borough, admitted that Shatta Wale’s team had stopped her from presenting Wiyaala on stage.
The songstress took to Facebook to give a full account of what happened. She posted;
“At approximately 6pm 13th August, Wiyaala was advised that she and Shatta Wale would be presented with a Citation of Merit by Vanessa L Gibson, President of The Bronx Borough on stage during an interval in his performance at @SummerStageNYC.
“At about 8.15 pm Shatta wale’s performance was paused and Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson and Wiyaala went to the back of the stage for the presentation of the citations. Vanessa went forward to do the presentation whilst an unknown person advised Wiyaala to wait. The presentation was made to Shatta Wale.
“Vanessa then immediately vacated the stage without calling Wiyaala forward. Wiyaala was then told she could receive her award backstage out of sight of the audience. Wiyaala refused to accept the award under these circumstances and left Crotona Park for her hotel,” Wiyaala narrated in her post.
Wiyaala continued: “Vanessa was challenged by members of Wiyaala’s team as to why she had not been called forward to receive her Citation on stage. Initially, Vanessa blamed the organisers (SummerStage NYC) but eventually said that she had been blocked from calling Wiyaala forward by Team Shatta Wale.
“Wiyaala does not accept awards or citations from any organization backstage.
“Wiyaala respectfully requests that Team Shatta Wale confirm if they did block Wiyaala from coming on stage to receive her citation at the same time as Shatta Wale. And if they did no such thing, then Vanessa L Gibson should account for why she disrespected Wiyaala in this manner on a night of supposed unity and mutual support.
“Unless acceptable and credible explanations are forthcoming, Wiyaala has no intention of accepting the Citation of Merit supposedly awarded her by the Bronx Borough.”
“This is what happened and we now move on. Cased closed, good night #Roarrrrrr.”
Wiyaala and Shatta Wale are in the United States for the annual outdoor music festival dubbed ‘SummerStage’.
The event is organised by Capital One City Parks Foundation, an independent non-profit organization in New York, USA.
Source;NKONKONSA.com
