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Ryan Seacrest is drawing backlash after appearing as a keynote speaker at a government-sponsored entertainment summit in Saudi Arabia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Critics have accused the WOF<\/a> host of aligning with a regime widely condemned for human rights abuses.<\/p>\n Seacrest took the stage at Joy Forum 2025<\/a>, a major event held in Riyadh and organized by Saudi Arabia\u2019s General Entertainment Authority.<\/p>\n The event is part of the country\u2019s Vision 2030 plan to grow its entertainment sector and soften its global image.<\/p>\n It was chaired by Turki Alalshikh, a close aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Reaction online was swift and mostly critical.<\/p>\n “That man will do literally anything for a check,” one Reddit<\/a> user wrote.”I\u2019m not shocked.”<\/p>\n Another wrote, “Sell out.”<\/p>\n The Joy Forum promotes itself as a global meeting point for media executives.<\/p>\n But rights groups have criticized such efforts as image rehab for a country accused of stifling dissent and targeting journalists.<\/p>\n Human Rights Watch said Saudi Arabia uses high-profile events “to deflect attention from brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations.”<\/p>\n Alalshikh, seen as one of the Crown Prince\u2019s key advisers, used the event to announce new deals in entertainment.<\/p>\n These included a partnership with Warner Music and Atlantic Records, as well as upcoming projects with basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O\u2019Neal.<\/p>\n The country also revealed plans to host WrestleMania 2027, a first outside the United States, and launch a global boxing league with UFC President Dana White.<\/p>\n DON’T MISS…<\/strong><\/p>\n DWTS fans elated over Wicked songs but slam producers favoritism<\/a> [LATEST]<\/strong><\/p>\n