Parents lash out on social media after 15,000 people cram into shopping centre for JoJo Siwa concert
The staggering popularity of an American children's entertainer has prompted safety concerns at a Melbourne shopping centre, as more than 15,000 fans flocked to see the Nickelodeon star in the flesh.
JoJo Siwa, 15, has amassed a tremendous following as a singer, dancer and video blogger following her appearance on the hit American reality series Dance Moms and her recent work with the kids' television network.
And by the time she took to the stage at the Eastland Shopping Centre on Tuesday, the teen celebrity had drawn an audience to rival the capacity of Rod Laver Arena, Herald Sun reports.
JoJo Siwa, 15, (pictured) has amassed a tremendous following as a singer, dancer and video blogger
By the time she took to the stage at the Eastland Shopping Centre on Tuesday, the teen celebrity had drawn an audience to rival the capacity of Rod Laver Arena
Thousands of doting fans and their parents flocked to the shopping complex in the east Melbourne suburb of Ringwood, filling the mall and spilling out into the Town Square, where they watched JoJo on a giant screen.
It was, according to Eastland general manager Greg Balmforth, the biggest crowd to ever attend a performance at the shopping centre - an 'overwhelming' turnout, as he put it.
Others, however, were slightly less impressed with the hordes.
Many parents took to social media to lash out at Eastland over safety and security issues, claiming the centre is unfit to cope with such enormous numbers.
Thousands of doting fans and their parents flocked to the shopping complex, filling the mall and spilling out into the Town Square where they watched JoJo on a giant screen
Many parents took to social media to lash out at Eastland over safety and security issues, claiming the centre is unfit to cope with such enormous numbers
'It was incredibly dangerous and badly managed,' one commenter wrote to Eastland's Facebook page.
'When security can't even get in to tell people to sit down, that should tell you something. We ended up leaving in tears.'
Others complained that there was 'Not enough space', that they 'couldn't hear anything' or that they were unable to see JoJo in the midst of the crowds.
Others complained that there was 'Not enough space', that they 'couldn't hear anything' or that they were unable to see JoJo in the midst of the crowds
Mr Balmforth confirmed that Eastland would assess the safety and suitability of the shopping complex for the staging of future large-scale events.
'As with all of our events, the Eastland team will undertake a review and incorporate learnings into future planning for other great events we have in store for our community,' he said.
He also thanked those in attendance 'for their patience and understanding during this very exciting event'.