Bad Bunny Receives Request From Mexico President to Do Free Concert to Make up for Fake Ticket Scandal

Mexico's president publicly pleaded with Bad Bunny to do a free concert in Mexico City to make up for the fake ticket scandal that left thousands of fans disappointed outside his sold-out event on Friday.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday he could not offer the Puerto Rican reggaeton singer any money. But he promised to pay for the stage, lights, sound system, and even the installation of a zip line at the city's big main central plaza.

Lopez Obrador hoped that Bad Bunny could perform for free as the musician is "sensitive" and feels "solidarity" with fans who were denied entrance to Bad Bunny's concert because of the sale of fake tickets.

Lopez Obrador said he would tell Bad Bunny how it made them "very emotional" to see young people sad because they were "victims of fraud."

The Associated Press asked Bad Bunny's representatives if he plans to accept the president's request to do a free concert, but they have yet to respond as of this writing.

Mexico's consumer watchdog has said they will investigate the matter. Ticketmaster Mexico noted that despite the concert's popularity, the show was not oversold.

However, a company statement noted that there were 4.5 million requests for only 120,000 available seats. It added that numerous legitimate ticketholders were turned away at the door due to the presence of fake tickets.

"I ask Bad Bunny, I know he is overworked and tired because he works a lot, but I ask him to consider the possibility of coming to Mexico, to the Zócalo... Hopefully he comes," Lopez Obrador said.

Ticketmaster Should Make a Refund, Says Mexico Consumer Watchdog

Social media in Mexico over the weekend was flooded with teary, disappointed fans after thousands were turned away from Bad Bunny's concert at the Azteca stadium on Friday due to invalid tickets.

Mexico's consumer watchdog agency, Profeco, said on Saturday that the Ticketmaster should pay back the full cost of legit tickets plus a 20% compensation fee.

In an interview with the local press, Profeco head Ricardo Sheffield noted that they had received around 1,600 requests for refunds as of Saturday, The Guardian reported.

According to Ticketmaster Mexico, the entry's denial was caused by "an unprecedented quantity of fake tickets" bought outside the official channels. The company added that there were also issues with the ticket reading system and confusion among staff.

Bad Bunny's 2022 Tour Earns Record-Breaking $435 Million

As the year ends, Bad Bunny has set yet another record. The Puerto Rican singer set a new benchmark for annual touring revenue.

Bad Bunny's "World's Hottest Tour" reportedly grossed $435.38 million, more than the $432.3 million that Ed Sheeran earned for his "Divide" tour. Bad Bunny kicked off his tour in Florida on August 5 and ended in Mexico City on December 10.

His first tour of 2022, the "El Último Tour Del Mundo," supported his album of the same name, and his second tour was the "World's Hottest Tour," Hypebae reported.

Bad Bunny intends to slow down in 2023 after a very active and fruitful year. He told Billboard: "I'm taking a break."

The Puerto Rican star said that 2023 is for his physical and emotional wellness to breathe and enjoy his accomplishments. He also said he would like to travel.

"Let's go here, let's go there, let's go on the boat. I have a couple of sporadic commitments, and I'll go to the studio, but there's no pressure. Remember yourself, cabrón. You've worked your ass off," he noted.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Bad Bunny Ends World's Hottest Tour in Mexico City With Ticket Controversy - From Billboard