Verizon Pulls Out Of Stefani Tour After Akon Grinds With 15 Year Old

Posted almost 5 years ago
Verizon Wireless has abruptly pulled out as the presenting sponsor on Gwen Stefani’s current Sweet Escape tour due to an incident involving the trek’s opening act, Akon.Last month, during a concert in Trinidad, Akon grinded and practically sexually assulted a 15-year-old fan. When footage of the onstage dance found its way online, Verizon got cold feet and severed all ties with Stefani's current tour. Akon’s show in Trinidad was unrelated to and not part of the Sweet Escape tour, which started April 21 in Phoenix.While many may feel that Verizon is taking this a little too seriously, its hard not to agree with them after seeing the footage. I am not sure where Akon got his dance moves, but they look a little Marky Mark to me.

Comments (25)

  1. watchbatteries says and to think he's supposed to be here at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Ampitheatre
    Permalink posted 05/08/2007
  2. LyricalRevolution says Thank you for posting this. I never liked him. Absolutely Disgusting.
    Permalink posted 05/08/2007
  3. CrashPryor says Michelle Malkin? that template for all things "fair and balanced"...man, those fuckers are running our to talking points...that video is kinda crazy but if that was during Carnival (everybody there was probably faded-- dude shoulda known better...still just to be the DA, FUCK VERIZON, they gyped me out of 4 bills five years ago b/c they would shut off my service...fucking fuckers...
    Permalink posted 05/08/2007
  4. watchbatteries says I second Crash's "FUCK VERIZON". Cox and T-Mobile ftw. Also, T-Mobile is the most reliable cell service evar.
    Permalink posted 05/08/2007
  5. Rawkkiddoh says I still dont have a cell phone, so I am going to have to take your words for it
    Permalink posted 05/08/2007
  6. watchbatteries says Yeah, their towers got jammed that day.
    Permalink posted 05/08/2007
  7. Augusts1 says If that 15 yr. old girl was so against hip hop, what the fuck was she even doing at that concert in the first place? And it looks to me like she certainly wasn't making much of an effort to get away. Certainly Akon shouldn't have been doing that w/a 15 yr old but does anyone notice that there are NO face shots of him while doing that? And don't get me started on the whole 'shame on you' tone of the asian woman in the vid, sheesh!
    Permalink posted 05/08/2007
  8. soulrocket says It is a common practise in the caribbean that male artists grab a chick from the public & perform the "i bone you here" dance... Japanese girls go to Jamaica to get boned on stage by the Energy God (Elephant Man) & they seem to love it because it is about having a laugh. Even female artists like Cecile or Lady Saw like to grab guys from the public to do the bone dance on stage... not big deal. Those sexual dances take place at dancehalls all along the Caribbean. Akon performance was too rough even for caribbean standards.
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  9. QueenofHell says As far as I could see from the clip, that is disgusting. I think that what he was doing would have left her humiliated and in pain. In my opinion, he should not be pinning down or hurling around any woman, no matter how old she is. It is an act of degradation. How on earth would a 15 year old girl be strong enough even to look like she was trying to get away from that? She was probably concussed! If that had happened to me I would be fucking livid. And if I were Gwen Stefani, I wouldn't want to be associated with him.
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  10. TroyPowers says The girl admitted that she was underage to be at that show. You can't blame that on Akon. Yeah, his stage show was pretty rowdy, but I didn't think it was such a big deal. He's just a wild dude, performing a wild set. Anybody remember Bobby Brown? I don't see anybody pointing fingers at the venue or security for letting and underage girl in. I think the whole thing is bullshit.
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  11. Rawkkiddoh says Regardless of the setting, the fact of the matter is she was 15. If I go out an get on a 15 year old and get caught, me telling the police that I thought she was 18 aint going to save my ass. If you are going to do things like Akon did, make sure you are aware of who you are doing them with
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  12. TroyPowers says But if he's playing to a crowd that's supposed to be 18 and older, what's he supposed to do? Double-check her ID mid show?
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  13. Rawkkiddoh says thats what you have a staff for, the girl he pulled up did not look old enough in my eyes, I say why risk it. Like I said if I am at a bar, and some girl got in with a fake id, I am still the one responsible. I will say I agree with you Troy that the concert promoters are as much to blame for this as is the girl for sneaking into a 18 and up show. I think Verizon should have looked more into that, especially since gwen stefani is the one headlining the tour not Akon
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  14. Lizziegreeneyes says soulrocket ... though often confused, the dance he was performing was not the "i bone you here" dance, it was the "mating call" made popular in the little hamlet called Downingtown in the year of our Salt -n- Pepa, 1986 _Push It_. Common mistake ;) Good golly Kevin ... step outta 1986, into 2007 & rock a cell ... long distance is a distant memory now that I have _my_ Verizon ... plus Catherine ZJ is always calling me. Can you hear me now ?????
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  15. milkshake says Yeah I saw that footage on youtube and am so glad they sacked him! Just ewww. And I don't like any of his songs anyway (really wish Radio 1 would stop playing him!)
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  16. summer eyes says ahhh gross. i hate the whole "butt to nut" dancing. so stupid. its not really dancing, more like taking your horniness out on the closest (willing) female.
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  17. Lizziegreeneyes says Good.
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  18. missjunk says wow, gross gross gross. thanks for this post....
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  19. Rawkkiddoh says HAHAHHAHA, summer you just made my page! Milkshake dont worry he will disappear as quickly as he hit the scene Lizzie, sorry cant stand them. I get quite angry when I see people driving 40 on the freeway while talking on the phone. I hope you are not one of those people. Missjunk, amen!
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  20. Cody B says Good corporate giant, Good corporate giant! I hate their butt ugly building in NYC though. Ruins the Brooklyn view of Manhattan. I hope verzion doesn't sponsor any carnival activities 'cause they are going to have to disassociate themselves with a lot of folks.
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  21. Rawkkiddoh says I have no idea about what cell phone companies are good, and which are not. I do know if a building ruins a skyline, it would be enough for me not to use their service
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  22. Lizziegreeneyes says Nope you're safe with me kid, I keep the speed at 65-70 _at the least_ when on the phone *&* operating my vehicle. (no, not guilty your Honor), pisses me off something royally as well. I pull over _for the most part_, or call them back when I finish my drive, I've broken my rule a few times, but I really try not to do so. I definitely don't always come to a complete & full stop at a stop sign, but I heard you didn't have to when it's surrounded by a white border ... More power to you brotha, I don't know where I'd be without it, it makes me *sooooo* much cooler than I actually am ;)
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  23. Rawkkiddoh says I would get one, only if they still made this model
    Permalink posted 05/09/2007
  24. kaleef says oh brother... that looks like zack morris's phone.
    Permalink posted 05/10/2007
  25. Lizziegreeneyes says I'm sure Steve Sanders had one in his vette as well ...
    Permalink posted 05/12/2007

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