Egyptian artist Mohamed Ramadan made headlines with his debut performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday, 13 April, 2025. As the first Egyptian artist to grace the iconic stage, Ramadan’s performance was a significant milestone for him and also for Egyptian representation in the global music scene. However, his appearance was impaired by controversy surrounding his outfit, designed by renowned Egyptian designer Farida Temraza. The Outfit and Its Reception Ramadan took the stage wearing an ensemble that featured a gold chain top, black trousers, and a long black cardigan adorned with the Ankh, the ancient Egyptian symbol for life. Temraza described the outfit as “a hand-beaded creation inspired by ancient Egyptian symbols and the key of life.” Despite the artistic intent, the outfit sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many users expressing disappointment over its representation of Egyptian culture, especially as Ramadan prominently displayed the Egyptian flag during his performance. Critics pointed out that the costume was ill-suited for a representative of Egyptian heritage. Some compared his outfit to traditional women’s dance costumes, which intensified the backlash. The controversy escalated when Sayed Mahmoud,…
Mohamed Ramadan’s Coachella Performance Sparks Controversy
April 15, 2025
By Belal Nawar
Senior Journalist
