Kanye West hymn service pushes transgender show out in Paris

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US rapper Kanye West was at the centre of a storm Monday after a Paris show by an acclaimed transgender performer was cancelled at the last minute to make way for one of his religious services.

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But French trans performer Phia Menard was furious that her "Maison Mere" ("Mother Ship") show was pulled at just one day's notice to make way for the golden couple of American pop culture, claiming the audience was told it was cancelled for "technical reasons".

Menard -- one of the discoveries of the Avignon festival in 2018 -- refused take the news lying down, with her and her fans lambasting the theatre and West as an "imposter" on social media.

She accused the theatre of lying "so they could cash in on a religious ceremony and the money the Donald Trump-supporting rapper" could pay them, the 49-year-old juggler wrote on Facebook on Monday.

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"I am an artist, a trans woman, the director of a company, and I refuse to accept this denial and contempt," said the performer, who transitioned in 2008.

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"The 98 people who had bought tickets were contacted and most came to her show the night before while the rest were reimbursed," the theatre's management added.

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