Michelle Obama Charging More Than Big Concerts for Her Book Tour
A lot of books have been gaining widespread media attention in the past year or so. Most of those have dealt with President Donald Trump in some way.
But there is a new kid on the block that isn’t about Trump and is creating a lot of buzz. This book, “Becoming,” was written by former First Lady Michelle Obama and she’s going on tour with it — for a price.
Truly humbled by the response to my upcoming book tour. I can’t wait to share BECOMING with all of you & hope to see you somewhere along the way! pic.twitter.com/uT7im9hnFk
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 20, 2018
Her approach to her book tour is more on par with the tour of a rock star. In fact, that very comparison is being made — and for more than one reason, too.
LIKE A ROCK STAR: The rollout for @MichelleObama's book is setting a precedent, as the first lady is set to speak at arenas usually reserved for rock stars, and with ticket prices to match https://t.co/gfaWrJriQC
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) September 21, 2018
Not only is she appearing at places rock stars perform, but her prices are on-par with theirs, too. Beyoncé — a pal to the Obamas — has come up in comparison:
Michelle Obama is out here selling Beyoncé priced tickets and I was not prepared😭
— Jess. (@Killa_Nilla) September 20, 2018
The New York Post wrote, “Nosebleed seats start at $30, while front-row seats go for $3,000 and include a pre-show photo opportunity with the former first lady, a signed book, and other ‘VIP’ gifts.
To put it in perspective, VIP tickets to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s ‘On The Run II’ tour are $1,000.”
Many fans have expressed their sadness and disappointment over the prices. For some, it seems she is catering more to the upper classes than to them:
https://twitter.com/SunniAndTheCity/status/1043204818267975680
This is for the upper-middle to upper class only. The rest of us can’t swing $200 for one ticket.
— Shelby & Dolly (@soulfauxreal) September 20, 2018
Despite the prices, people are still going. They may be happy to see her, but they are still not happy about the price they are paying to do so:
My mom is buying tickets because family will be in town and we’re at $500 floor seats 😭
— Jess. (@Killa_Nilla) September 20, 2018
But not everyone has a problem with the cost. To some, the fact that she is a bit like a rock star to them makes it all okay:
I wasn't/am not at all mad about the Michelle Obama ticket prices. I paid around that much to see Beyonce both times lol. Both women are worth it. I was irritated with Ticketmaster's system going in and out with obvious bot interference.
— samantha (@OnYourCallender) September 20, 2018
Scored tickets on the main floor at the Michelle Obama book tour in Chicago. IDC IDC about the ticket prices. She served us for 8 years and she's a rock star. As a Chicagoan and Attorney, I can't wait to see and hear from my hometown Forever First Lady!#VerifiedPresale
— Claire Huxtable Esq. (@SakialamAvenue) September 21, 2018
According to The Associated Press, there is another way in which her tour is rock star-like. She’s used entertainment company Live Nation to help roll out her tour.
A statement from Tara Taub, Live Nation Touring’s senior vice president, elaborated on the reasoning behind the move. “Mrs. Obama wanted to make her tour as accessible as possible. The Live Nation team also knew the demand for her tour would be extraordinary. For these reasons, we knew an arena tour would maximize the number of people who will be able to join this unforgettable conversation with Mrs. Obama.”
The price certainly does not make her tour “as accessible as possible.” For those in the lower classes, who look up to Mrs. Obama, this makes her look more like an elitist than the “every woman” they idolize her as being.
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