Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who have said publicly they wouldn’t perform for the occasion.
GARTH BROOKS
He may have quibbled when confronted by TMZ, but no, Garth Brooks will not be performing at the inauguration.
IDINA MENZEL
The “Wicked” star got a little snarky when asked to comment on Donald Trump having trouble locking down Inauguration performers, telling Vanity Fair, “It’s karma, baby.”
THE CHAINSMOKERS
A rumor that turned out to be a joke from a journalist aside, no, the DJ duo will not be performing.
THE DIXIE CHICKS
Their manager, Simon Renshaw, told TheWrap that their hit “Not Ready to Make Nice” should be the anthem of every entertainer dealing with Trump. He said of anyone who agrees to perform: “I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get.”
ELTON JOHN
Despite a Trump transition team member claiming on the BBC that the “Tiny Dancer” singer would be performing at a concert on the Mall to celebrate “the first American president in U.S. history that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance,” nope. Not true.
ANDREA BOCELLI
The operatic Italian tenor declined an offer to perform at the inaugural events, PageSix reported, fearing a backlash among his fans.
CELINE DION
The French Canadian hit-maker declined an approach from Trump ally and Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn to perform, TheWrap reported.
KANYE WEST
The hip-hop giant may have met with the president-elect (and put off his own presidential bid until at least 2024) but Tom Barrack, head of Trump’s inaugural committee, told CNN, “He is not performing at the inauguration.”
ERIC McCORMACK
The “Passengers” and “Will & Grace” star and singer said he’d be willing to perform — but only after “a lobotomy.”
ICE-T
“I just got call to perform at the Inauguration … I didn’t pick up and Blocked the number,” the rapper tweeted. Trump’s team declined to confirm or deny.
KISS
Gene Simmons told TMZ in December that the band had been approached about performing but declined — in part because they would be touring in Europe at that time.
ADAM LAMBERT
Former “American Idol” finalist and Queen frontman told the BBC that he’d pass on playing the inauguration no matter how big the check that was offered. “I don’t think I would take the money on that one,” he told the BBC. “I don’t think I’d be endorsing that.”
MICHAEL RAPPAPORT
The actor and comedian will not only not perform, he also has strong words for anyone who does, saying they “should be ashamed of themselves.”
ALEX WOLFF
The “Patriot’s Day” actor, who is also in a band with his brother Nat Wolff, did not mince words when asked if he would perform: “I’m not going to elaborate further because I know when to be tight-lipped, but no f—ing way.”
CHARLOTTE CHURCH
The Welsh singer-songwriter tweeted her decline of an invitation to perform on January 10, saying “a simple Internet search would show I think you’re a tyrant. Bye.”
ISSA RAE
The HBO “Insecure” creator and star said in December she would have to be “‘Weekend at Bernie’ed” to show up to Trump’s inauguration.
REBECCA FERGUSON
The British pop star also declined a Trump inauguration — though she said she’d consider accepting if she was allowed to perform Billie Holiday’s classic protest song “Strange Fruit.”
MOBY
The DJ announced on Instagram on January 9 that he had been approached to perform, and he declined, saying: “I guess I’d DJ at an inaugural ball if as payment #trump released his tax returns.”
JAN CHAMBERLIN
This Mormon Tabernacle Choir member made waves in late December by quitting the group rather than perform at the inauguration.
FRANK SINATRA
Were the late iconic singer still alive today, he “would never support a bigot” by performing at Trump’s inauguration, according to his daughter Nancy.
PAUL ANKA
After agreeing to perform at the inauguration, the legendary singer backed out of plans to perform “My Way” for President-elect Donald Trump. Anka insisted the decision is not out of protest.
R KELLY
Then R&B star was forced to deny reports that he would performing at the inaugural festivities tweeting: “Despite the rumors circulating online, R. Kelly will not be performing at this years [sic] inauguration ceremony,” the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer tweeted Thursday night. “Any reports stating otherwise are simply untrue.”
“End. Of. Story.,” Kelly added.
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY
After confirming her participation, Holliday eventually pulled out, calling the decision to perform a “lapse in judgement.”
