Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Gwen covers up for concert

Gwen Stefani covered up for her performance in Malaysia on Tuesday in response to concerns from Islamic critics that her revealing stage costumes might corrupt the country's youth. Bursting onto the stage in a short-sleeved shirt and black-and-white striped hot pants suit over a black leotard (with black elbow-length gloves), Stefani announced, "I am very inspired tonight." Changing her outfit for every song, the singer's full coverage came as a result of a charge by the 10,000-member National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students that her revealing outfits and cheeky performances clashed with traditional Islamic values. Under Malaysian government rules, a female artist must be covered from shoulder to knee and is prohibited from jumping, shouting or throwing objects onstage or at the audience. Stefani told a local entertainment paper, "I've been in the music industry for 20 years and this is the first time that I'm facing opposition from people who have misunderstood me... I'm not a bad girl."