Doja Cat defends minimalist tour opener amid fan backlash

Doja Cat defends minimalist tour opener amid fan backlash

Doja Cat has pushed back against criticism of her Ma Vie World Tour debut in Auckland, New Zealand, dismissing complaints about the show's lack of elaborate visuals, structured choreography, and frequent costume changes. The Grammy-winning artist responded directly to fans on Wednesday, asserting, "I make music for people who enjoy music. I'm not a Broadway act."

Fan reactions and online clashes

Attendees and online commentators quickly noted similarities between Tuesday's performance and her 2023 Scarlet Tour, with one fan writing on X (formerly Twitter), "No shade the Vie tour just gives Scarlet with different outfits." Others questioned the absence of outfit changes, prompting Doja to reply, "I'm singing my MUSIC for the people who want to hear me SING."

While some supporters praised her "breathtaking" dance breaks and labeled her "one of the greatest performers ever," the rapper shut down detractors with blunt retorts. To one critic, she wrote, "Keep your... opinion to yourself," and emphasized the physical demands of her performances: "You are not the artist you are the watcher."

"I won't [listen to criticism] and I don't need you."

Doja Cat, in response to fan feedback on X

A history of tensions with fans

The exchange marks the latest in a series of public spats between Doja Cat and her fanbase, collectively known as the "Kittenz." In 2022, she briefly changed her X username to "I quit" after backlash over a canceled show in Paraguay, threatening to leave music entirely. A year later, she allegedly lost over 180,000 Instagram followers after telling fans to "get a job" during an online dispute.

Earlier this year, a viral clip captured the artist expressing discomfort after a fan touched and kissed her without consent, further highlighting her fraught relationship with audience interactions. Despite these conflicts, Doja Cat has maintained a dominant presence in pop and rap, with hits like Say So and Paint the Town Red cementing her status as a chart-topping act.

Tour details and upcoming dates

The Ma Vie World Tour, supporting her fifth studio album, kicked off with a 27-song setlist in Auckland, blending early career tracks with newer releases like Jealous Type. The rapper is scheduled to perform in Perth, Australia, this Saturday before embarking on legs in South America (2026), Europe (May-June 2026), and a final U.S. stretch.

Setlist highlights (Auckland, Nov. 19, 2025)

• Say So (2020)
• Paint the Town Red (2023)
• Jealous Type (2025)
• Agora Hills (2023)