Justin Bieber is the latest international star to perform for Anant Ambani, the son of India’s richest man, and his fiancée, Radhika Merchant, as part of their grand pre-wedding festivities in Mumbai. Bieber’s performance over the weekend follows a series of extravagant celebrations that have captivated global attention.
The couple’s first pre-wedding event featured Rihanna, while the second, a Mediterranean cruise, showcased performances by The Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. These events have set high expectations for the actual wedding, which is slated to take place this weekend. Speculation about the wedding performer is rife, with Adele rumored to be the next big name, although the family has not confirmed this.
The Ambani family’s celebrations have been nothing short of lavish, putting them in a different league from even the most extravagant Indian weddings. This weekend’s sangeet ceremony was a night of music and dance, adhering to the Ambani tradition of going above and beyond. Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries and with a net worth of $115 billion according to Forbes, participated in a choreographed dance to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s hit song, “Deewangi Deewangi,” alongside his family.
The events have not only been musical extravaganzas but also fashion showcases. Guests, including some of India’s most glamorous stars, have worn dresses by the country’s top designers, turning the pre-wedding events into catwalks. Professional shots of these outfits have been widely shared on social media.
The costs associated with these parties are not disclosed, but rumors suggest Rihanna was paid $7 million for her performance, while Bieber’s fee is said to be $10 million. As for the upcoming three-day wedding event, the specifics remain under wraps. For many in India, there will be a sense of relief once the wedding and its associated extravagance conclude, although Mumbai residents are concerned about the potential impact on the city’s notoriously bad traffic.
Radhika Merchant recently told Vogue US that the wedding planning was “going great” and expressed her excitement about the upcoming marriage.
