Hip-hop beauty Kelis has infuriated her fans by charging them $18 (GBP10) for autographs after a sell-out performance in Scotland, Britain.

The MILKSHAKE star, 24, invited enthusiastic 'Kelisites' backstage after her exclusive gig at Edinburgh's Liquid Room last week (begs23AUG04) but disappointed fans stormed off in disgust when the singer's entourage ordered them to pay Kelis for writing out her signature.

The events manager for the venue, CATHERINE MACKENZIE complains, "It was outrageous. I have never heard of anybody charging for autographs before. A lot of fans walked away as soon as they heard.

"Insiders had warned us that Kelis was going to be a real nightmare. We were told she was a total diva and that we shouldn't talk to her or look at her."

A record company spokesman says, "We can neither confirm or deny the autograph story as none of us were there."

01/09/2004 02:39