‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ took on a whole new meaning today.
Because, just one day after announcing a performance at Donald Trump‘s Presidential Inauguration, Jennifer Holliday has sensationally bowed out of the gig.
Full story below…
Feeling the anger of social media, the ‘Dreamgirls’ diva confirmed her departure to Billboard.
Many lashed the singer for seemingly endorsing the controversial political figure, especially given his the stance (along with many in his administration) on minorities and the LGBT community. Groups that make up much of the star’s fan-base.
In an open letter, Holliday apologized for her “lapse of judgement.”
Read it in full below…
Please allow me this opportunity to speak to you directly and to explain why I originally made my decision to perform at the inauguration which was what I had thought would be my simply keeping in my tradition of being a “bi-partisan songbird” having sung for Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush.
I was asked to sing a song for what was presented to me as the “Welcome Concert For The People”– in my mind I was reflecting on the past times of being asked to sing for presidents and I only focused on the phrase “For The People”… I thought, For America!
I was honestly just thinking that I wanted my voice to be a healing and unifying force for hope through music to help our deeply polarized country… Regretfully, I did not take into consideration that my performing for the concert would actually instead be taken as a political act against my own personal beliefs and be mistaken for support of Donald Trump and Mike Pence.
In light of the information pointed out to me via the Daily Beast article on yesterday, my only choice must now be to stand with the LGBT Community and to state unequivocally that I WILL NOT PERFORM FOR THE WELCOME CONCERT OR FOR ANY OF THE INAUGURATION FESTIVITIES!
I sincerely apologize for my lapse of judgement, for being uneducated on the issues that affect every American at this crucial time in history and for causing such dismay and heartbreak to my fans.
Please know that I HEAR YOU and I feel your pain. The LGBT Community was mostly responsible for birthing my career and I am deeply indebted to you… You have loved me faithfully and unconditionally and for so many years you provided me with work even though my star had long since faded.
Thank you for communicating with me, I had no idea that I still meant so much to all of you.
Thank you for your posted comments both the good supportive ones as well as the ugly hurtful ones.
With LOVE & Appreciation,
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY
“The Original DreamGirl”
And there you have it…
Quite expected tbh ????
Sam they draggin Steve harvey too. That sellout!!
She’s over! Career CANCELLED!!
Lol atleast she didn’t go thru with it
I’m glad she realized it was a bad idea. I forgive her, and I think her heart was in the right place. Watching interviews with her, you see that she’s a really amazing, strong person outside of her voice. I recommend an interview she did on Broadway.com called “Show People”.. you can find it on YouTube
Shut up she cancelled she’s forgiven
Girl Bye
Lol I said it yesterday “count down till she cancels/ backs out” too predictable I’d think they’d know better by now
The damage is already done but hey atleast she pulled out before it was too late.
Like this is just ridiculous. Trump is president, irrespective, people just need to get over it.
That doesn’t mean people have to be supportive of him or his “policies”
then why isn’t Beyonce performing for Trump…
oh
How massive is the rock she’s been living under? Good god.
Out of ALL the disgusting things he’s said about women, foreigners, and American minorities, his views on the LGBT is the ONLY thing that made her pull out?? Chile…
That’s because the LGBT community is the reason why she has a career in entertainment since 1978. Know your shÿt before you pop off.
I think the LGBT is reason enough. That is probably who contacted her 1st to pull out of the concert and she jumped on it less than 24 hours.
Good, But girl really? The statement simply is saying you were uneducated on what your appearing/performing would have meant….. Give me a break! Your not that dumb hunny…… Work aint honest but it pays the bills, I honestly think u just wanted that coin. And its ok to be honest about that, that i wouldve respected… But to play like a dumb blonde now as if you didnt know performing meant endorsing his hateful stance toward this country is BS!
I believe her. You can’t put your intellect on someone else and expect them to think and act the same as you. I found her statement honest and there is nothing wrong with saying you did not know something. It was presented to her as a business opportunity (like you said) and she said yes without knowing the significance of her performing.
Who she talking about people
Need to get over it? (KD)
Bye child. You get over that crack addiction and we’ll continue not to care.
Trump is a horrible person no woman should perform for him, after all of what he said.
Very well articulated tbh. She didnt go through with it. That’s all that matters
What a misleading article lol
He has no problem with gay marriage or gays
He has no problem with minorities
He has a problem with illegal immigration
Like every US president does, especially everyone’s darling Obama whom oversaw a surge in deportations under his administration
He did express a negative sentiment about Muslims– or are they not considered minorities in the US?
He has an issue with the LGBT community– he stated that he is a “traditional guy” when speaking about gay marriage. He also made disparaging comments about women, people of Jewish descent,and the disabled.
Did you forget about all of those things?
Shut your dumb ass up. Your ignorance screams volumes. You shouldn’t be allowed to be around other normal functioning humans– you moron.
He may not personally, but Pence surely does! Birds of a feather flock together, for him to be his VP, some views are definitely shared whether he publicly says it or not
We need to stop being so sensitive about everything. The inauguration is happening. Just because someone sings at an event welcoming the new president doesn’t mean they have to support them or agree with their views. Nobody is booking Jenifer Holiday left and right these days. Let the lady get her a coin. It’s nonsense. 2 months down the line nobody will be talking about this. People don’t really care that much they just need something to whine about. He’s already been elected president it’s time to stop bullying other people out of opportunity
Well said. I think the people “whining” need to be in union and keep the president in check. It is just a job. If people unionize in channelling their energy into getting positive things accomplished and fighting injustice then the president, senate, and congress are kept in check.
The sheep are the only ones who cared and I’m sure they forgive you.
Are you serious? Please. This is not just another president whose views the majority disagrees with. This is different. This is about what’s right and what’s seriously wrong. So of course she had to cancel!
Wow