Disgruntled Rihanna fans sue Israeli producers over singer's tardiness

A class-action lawsuit filed against the Israeli production company that brought pop star Rihanna to perform in Tel Aviv last week is seeking redress for what it says was for the singer's late arrival to her own show.

The lead plaintiff is demanding reimbursement of one-third of his NIS 339 ($96) ticket price for Rihanna's October 22 performance in Tel Aviv's Hayarkon Park and NIS 13 million ($3.7 million) in total damages on behalf of the entire ticket-buying audience.

The lawsuit, filed in the Tel Aviv District Court late last week, notes that while the concert began on time, with a warm-up act that performed from 7:30 P.M. to 9 P.M., Rihanna did not begin her show until 10:10 P.M. In the interim, the suit says, there was no music or other distractions for the audience.

"The production company intentionally acted negligently toward its customers … it was obligated to inform its customers that there could and would be an hour and 15 minute delay until the start of the performance, " the lawsuit states. It argues there was no reasonable justification for Rihanna's tardiness, citing news reports that claimed she had arrived in Israel the morning of the concert and her subsequent visit to the Dead Sea.

It was widely reported that the singer landed in Israel in the afternoon, several hours after she was originally scheduled to arrive, and was helicoptered to the Dead Sea.

Bluestone Productions said in a response that all aspects of the show for which it was responsible were superlative, and it had no control over the singer's schedule.

"Unfortunately, the international singer came late to the performance," it said in a statement. "We are sorry about this, but the Israeli production had no connection to the tardiness." They added, "We understand that there were those who were dissatisfied, but in our opinion the vast majority of the spectators enjoyed it very much."