Ghanaian multiple talented Popstar Wiyaala has voiced out unfair treatment meted on her and the team at just ended SummerStage NYC concert.
According to Wiyaala who revealed the incident in a Facebook live section with her fans, said the organisers had informed her about a citation made available for the two Ghanaian artists (Wiyaala and Shatta Wale) to promote unity. Wiyaala also revealed that she was told to wait and receive her citation at the same time as Shatta Wale but was ignored during the presentation of the citations. She further revealed that, the organisers later came to her backstage to present her award which she refused to accept because the move makes her and the team feel disrespected.
Ghanaian Superstars Wiyaala and Shatta Wale were billed by Capitalone City Park foundation to perform on SummerStage NYC this August 13th 2022 which was held at the Coronation Park, USA.
Below is the full statement released by Wiyaala
"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 back stage out of sight of the audience. Wiyaala refused to accept the award under these circumstances and left Crotona Park for her hotel.
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 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 🦁🌍🦁✌🏾"
