06.06.2026 14:40
Dua Lipa's wedding in Sicily sparked controversy with the closure of Palermo's squares. Locals reacted by saying "Palermo is not for rent." Lipa paid 5,000 pounds in compensation to the affected residents.
World-famous singer Dua Lipa's wedding celebration in Sicily, Italy, caused local residents to rise up due to the closure of two major squares in the city.
Sicilians angered by the barricading of squares in Palermo for weekend-long celebrations showed strong reactions to the famous star.
"Palermo is Not For Rent" Protest
The historic Piazza Croce dei Vespri and neighboring Piazza Sant'Anna squares were completely closed for three-day events.
In response, local residents hung protest posters reading "Palermo is not for rent" and "Our square is not your living room." While police removed these posters on Thursday, new protest graffiti appeared on historic walls by Friday morning.
Parking Compensation for Residents As reactions grew, 30-year-old Dua Lipa paid a total of £5,000 (approximately 210,000 TL) to residents whose windows directly face the square and who faced parking issues due to the closure.
This gesture was reportedly made to appease locals affected by the closed areas and compensate for the parking crisis.
However, it was noted that old and offensive graffiti on a historic marble column in the center of the square had not been cleaned.
A source close to the process commented, "This doesn't quite align with the fairy-tale and enchanting love story atmosphere Dua Lipa is trying to capture."
Dua Lipa and her 36-year-old actor husband Callum Turner, who officially married in London last weekend, flew to Italy midweek for celebrations.
The couple and their guests, including famous singer Charli XCX and music producer Mark Ronson, stayed at the 5-star Villa Igiea hotel overlooking the Palermo marina.
Dua Lipa, attending the wedding party in a backless, neck-tied shimmering dress, and Callum Turner, opting for a casual suit, were greeted with great enthusiasm and applause by guests as they entered the venue.
Police maintained tight security at the square, decorated with classic Italian cars and an open-air cocktail bar. A Palermo resident removed from the square complained about police intervention, saying, "Everything seems a bit over the top. We just wanted to see Dua Lipa and wish her happiness."