CAIRO, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Egypt's former minister of antiquities, Zahi Hawass, said he banned U.S. musician Beyonce from visiting the pyramids for being rude.
Hawass told the Egypt Independent he recently gave the pop star a tour of the pyramids, but things started off on the wrong foot when she showed up late.
"Most people I take on tours are very nice and we become friends," he said. "But this lady ... She said she would come at 3 p.m. but she came late. I said, 'You have to say I'm sorry I'm late.' But she didn't open her mouth."
Hawass, who has a history of making enemies with abrasive attitude, The Egypt Independent said, became more irritated when Beyonce's photographer told Hawass' photographer not to take pictures.
"In that case since you almost hit my photographer and you are not polite -- out! I am not giving you the privilege of having you on my tour. I said Beyonce was stupid and I left," Hawass said.
Hawass previously banned Egyptologist Joann Fletcher from working in the area because he said she made a Discovery Channel show about allegedly discovering the mummy of Queen Nefertiti instead of contacting the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Hawass was removed from his position after the Jan. 25 revolution after he was accused of corruption, the Egypt Independent reported.
