Saudi Arabia's campaign to raise money for other than oil continues. Earlier this year, in order to attract tourists, the country changed its visa rules and clothing requirements for foreign women, who no longer need to wear the covering outer garment abaya.

As a step in attracting more tourists, the country invited actors Armie Hammer and Ryan Phillippe, model Winnie Harlow and a host of other profiles who have millions of followers on social media to the MDL Beast music festival in Riyadh this weekend.

“What I just saw was really special. I saw Saudi men and women ecstatic over an event they never thought they would see during their lifetime… It felt like a cultural move, ”Armie Hammer writes on her Instagram account.

Companies confirm payments

But the well-known profiles that visited Saudi Arabia now receive harsh criticism. The Instagram account Diet Prada, which has 1.6 million followers, alerted the outside world about why so many posts from so many well-known profiles had been tagged with Saudi Arabia over the weekend.

Information on six or eight-digit payments for the people invited is available online, but when the news agency AP contacts the organizer behind MDL Beast, the company denies that such large sums have been paid. However, the company confirms that some people have been paid to pay attention to the festival.

"Support women, the LGBT community, freedom of speech ..."

Diet Prada also revealed that some influencers had chosen not to go to the festival because of Saudi Arabia's many human rights violations.

One of these is Emily Ratajkowski, with 24.9 million followers on Instagram, who writes in a post:

“It is very important for me to be clear with my support for women, the LGBTQ community, freedom of speech and the right to free press. I hope that these injustices that happen there get more attention when I go out with this, "she writes to Diet Prada.

Philippe strikes back

One of the well-known characters who has defended his decision to go is actor Ryan Phillippe. Many have turned to him directly on Instagram with their criticism.

“Is your government without deficiencies? ... Development and change take time. It happens here and was a great place to visit, "he writes, calling other critics" ignorant of the truth. "