Recently, Spanish singer Pastora Soler shed light on the origins of a viral photograph from her 2018 visit to Cuba, where she was seen dining on lobster alongside Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl Castro.
Soler was brought to the island by the magazine Shanghai, under the organization of Alfonso Llobar, to partake in the Days Against Gender Violence and the 30th anniversary of CENESEX—the National Center for Sexual Education led by Mariela Castro. At the time, Cuba was embroiled in discussions about including same-sex marriage in its new constitution.
The singer emphasized that her participation was unpaid, motivated by her connection to the Cuban LGTBI community, whose vibrant locales often featured her music.
Allegations of a Set-Up
In an interview on the Spanish television show "El Perro Andaluz," the Seville-born artist claimed, "I was set up." She recounted the impact that the snapshot had on her career and mental health.
"I came as a tourist, being honored for participating without compensation," she explained, recalling how the meal became a subsequent issue for her.
The Unintended Consequences
The incident unfolded during a lunch at a lavish penthouse overlooking the Havana Malecón, functioning as a private eatery. Alongside figures like then-PSOE transgender deputy Carla Antonelli, Mariela Castro joined them, and lobster was served.
Soler admitted her ignorance about the symbolic significance of lobster in Cuba, saying, "They placed me next to Mariela Castro, serving lobster—I didn't realize it was so controversial, considering Cubans are forbidden from eating it."
When one of the diners snapped a photo of the occasion, it quickly circulated across social media.
Fallout in Miami
Just days later, Soler was set to perform in Miami on December 1, 2018, as part of her La Calma tour. However, following backlash from the Cuban community there, the event was canceled by the production team. Since then, she hasn't returned to perform in Miami.
The personal repercussions were severe. "I was traumatized; it was the first time I experienced such hatred," she confessed on the show. "I had to remove myself from social media, deactivate private messages on Facebook because of the insults."
She described the vitriol she faced, being labeled as "Communist, red, dog—even worse." Despite distancing herself from the memory, she admitted that she still occasionally receives hostile messages.
On "El Perro Andaluz," she concluded with a light-hearted remark: "I don't even like lobster. I'm more into prawns and shrimp. I think I didn't even eat lobster."
Public Clarification
On December 2, 2018, Soler released a statement on Facebook clarifying her intentions: "I want to make it very clear that my participation in Cuba was solely a selfless act of solidarity, aimed at supporting a community that has always been mistreated."
She also clarified that she did not cancel the Miami concert, expressing her eagerness to return: "I did not cancel the Miami concert myself, and I would be delighted, now more than ever, to perform again for an audience that has always shown me love."
In Cuba, lobster remains a symbol of the regime's inequality: an inaccessible luxury for the majority of Cubans while the political elite consumes it with ease. The image of Raúl Castro's daughter enjoying this delicacy with a Spanish artist invited by the regime was, and still is, seen as an emblem of privilege sharply contrasting with the everyday shortages faced by the Cuban people.
Understanding the Impact of Pastora Soler's Photo Controversy
Why was Pastora Soler's photo with Mariela Castro controversial?
The photo was controversial because it depicted Soler dining on lobster, a luxury forbidden to ordinary Cubans, alongside Mariela Castro, a member of the regime's elite. This image symbolized the stark inequality prevalent in Cuba.
What were the consequences for Pastora Soler after the photo was published?
The fallout included the cancellation of her Miami concert due to pressure from the Cuban community and a significant amount of online harassment, leading her to withdraw from social media temporarily.
What did Pastora Soler claim about her involvement in the event?
Soler stated that her participation was unpaid and aimed at supporting the Cuban LGTBI community, noting that she felt trapped by the situation as she was unaware of the lobster's significance in Cuba.