Scribbled in history books for some good and not-so-good reasons, 2017 brought with it some of modern music’s most memorable moments. Now, as the year draws to a close, TGJ is reflecting on our favorite moments that rocked – and to some degree reshaped – the Urban and Pop musical landscape as we know it.
Next, we reflect on the celebrities who were canceled by the Black community for supporting President Trump:
One of 2016’s most shocking moments came courtesy of the United States presidential election, an event that saw the stunning upset of presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton as she was forced to concede the race to reality TV star/businessman Donald J. Trump.
The latter – whose campaign was slammed with allegations and observations of misogyny, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and more – officially assumed the role as “leader of the free world” at the top of this year…to little fanfare. As celebrity after celebrity – especially women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and their supporters opted to boycott his inauguration a certain former Broadway darling, Jennifer Holliday, stepped in to accept the invite to sing the national anthem at the festivities. The backlash from her staunchest supporters was harsh to say the least.
After claiming she received death threats at news she’d accepted the gig, her (dis)graceful bow out was followed by reports Grammy-winning soulstress Chrisette Michele would step in to take her place.
Greeted with a backlash worse than that of Holliday’s, Michele soldiered on against the advising of her colleagues and fans to perform at the inauguration. Later experiencing a year of poorly received single releases, continuous slamming from detractors, and even a drop from herhome, it’s pretty safe to say the ‘Be OK’ singer’s career hasn’t exactly benefitted from the appearance.
She – alongside gospel stars Vicki Yohe (click to read more), Donnie McClurkin (click to read more), and (most famously) Tina Campbell (click to read more) – stood as the year’s poster children for what can go wrong with you openly support Trump.
And, while the year ended with news his most famous puppet of color his beloved, long-time compadre Omarosa had been unceremoniously relieved of her duties at the White House (click here to read more), there is at least one person who can say her support of the sitting president worked to her benefit. Click the story below to have your memory refreshed: