Megastar Taylor Swift has bailed on her slated Melbourne Cup show, citing scheduling issues.
Swift had been set to perform two hits from her latest album Lover at the November 5 race but changes to her promo schedule in Asia have made that impossible, promoters say.
It comes after fierce backlash from animal activists, demanding that she cancel.
"Regrettably, Taylor is no longer able to make it to this year's Melbourne Cup," Mushroom Events' Michael Gudinski said in a statement on Saturday.
"Changes to her Asian promo schedule have made it logistically impossible for her to be here."
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Neil Wilson says the change of plans is disappointing for everyone.
"The (club) has learned that Taylor Swift is now unable to make the trip to Australia and therefore cannot be with us on Melbourne Cup Day," he said.
"We understand how important the pre-Cup entertainment is and we look forward to providing an update shortly."
Swift was initially booked to perform two songs at the 'race that stops the nation.' Source: Getty Images North America
Swift's planned appearance at the race that stops the nation was announced with much fanfare just over a week ago.
"I can't wait to come to Melbourne, and I can't wait to come to the Melbourne Cup," she said, according to the Herald Sun on September 12.
"I've heard so much about the race."
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses had accused Swift of putting money before compassion.
"If Taylor Swift cares at all about other animals the way she appears to care about cats, she will cancel her show and make a strong statement that animal abuse is unacceptable," the group said at the time.
