It’s been nearly 5 years since Chrisette Michele endured a swift and seismic backlash for seemingly endorsing polarizing Donald Trump by singing at his presidential inauguration. Though she made clear her intention was to “be a bridge” between his supporters and detractors, the only bridge she traveled was that straight to “cancelledville.”
The subject of memes, fiery debates, ridicule, and more from fans and industry peers alike, the blowback also bled into her professional and personal life via the loss of her record deal, impacted touring ability, and failed marriage (as we reported here).
Just two months ago she took to the net to openly admit the performance was ‘the wrong thing to do,’ but the admission also came with the question of why her cancellation endures while other high profile figures who have openly endorsed Trump continue to thrive.
That notion was reiterated Tuesday (August 31) when the GRAMMY winner took to social media to co-sign and share a tweet from social commentator and television personality Jawn Murray. Michele added:
“I always wonder how to respond to this question. It’s actually the reason I don’t do interviews anymore.
Being compared to Kanye & Travis for the last 5 years. Watching them soar into the highest realms of stardom. Waiting on Gods hand to show me exactly what my story will look like. I’ve made a choice to stay full of gratitude and master peace, but today, this post has inspired me to allow the energy of comparison to enter my feed. I think most of the comments are well intended and I’m not really attached to the results of the conversation. But it is an interesting topic. Kanye endorsed him, Travis sang with me, and… time unfolded. What do YOU think history has proven in this tale? What did you think 5 years ago? What do you think today? Would you release new music if you were me? What would you sing about? Who would you sing to? Why? What does my role as FEMALE play in this story? What about my role as Christian? How about my role as it compares to Kanye & Travis?”
I already said this in the last post about Dababy.
The black community doesn’t hold BLACK MEN accountable.
Request change and hold them to their behavior and actions. Black men only change when they white community is against them because that’s the only people they look for validation from. PERIOD
YES, it’s ignorant, but those are facts
Honestly.
It’s not true. Black men have it super hard. Let your black baby daddy have the kids get all the help and support while your working. You put in over 80 hours and get less than half your check. While he (meaning she!) is out having a great time with his (her) full check and yours while your looking for a place to park bc your sleeping in your car bc you can’t afford to pay rent! A woman can spread her legs for a week and stay a year. A man any color has to go and provide or he’ll end out on his hide. And that is for real! Now let’s talk about black women being with white men for money!!!? Leggo
I never cancelled you 🤷
Gurl, ur not cancelled, ur career just died a natural death.
For u to get cancelled, u have to have a viable successful career to begin with
SCREAMING 🤣
Not replying to yourself 🥴 Gross
False! She was literally canceled. She was no longer getting booked and adult contemporary radio stopped playing her music. Chrisette was no Beyonce but she had a decent R&B career.
LIES! She hasn’t had any mainstream success since 2009 with her second album and has ZERO gold or platinum plaques.
she’s not wrong
I would hate to think that sexism plays a role, but it is BEYOND time that we heard what Chrisette has to say. Not only about this issue, but musically as well. She is immensely talented…
This isn’t about gender. She has a beautiful voice and some great songs, but she doesn’t hold the space to stand such backlash. If Onika had went and rapped for Trump, she wouldn’t be cancelled either. Accept the consequences that came with a decision you were so passionate about. They gave you every chance not to.
Everything you stated is true but Kanye did and said things way out of line then her. Ultimately its unfairly she got so much heat for a one-day performance where’s Ye made a spectacle of himself more times than both our hands can account for foolishly. Where’s Kanye til this day still supports Trump’s whole agenda. But everyone continues to forgive and turn blind eye because its him while he use “religion” for empathy while having someone like Manson a known Devil worshipper be right be side him…Overall this Cancel Culture is bs if the matters that be are to be “selective” on who to go after and ruining their livelihoods especially without given second changes to correct their first mistakes – Thus a learning experience instead of a fear of career being straight over. Too many Judges and enough sensible Jurors.
“Manson a known Devil worshipper”
Receipts please.
Exactly! She can’t be compared to Kanye. If say Mario or Anderson Paak had done what she did and didn’t get “canceled” then she’d have an argument. Kanye has way more reach than she does or did.
She seems to think we have forgotten that her niche fan base begged and pleaded with her to not perform. They warned her that they’d leave. She chose to blatantly ignore them and they followed through. She walked right into it bright eyed and bushy tailed knowing she’d been warned. Now she’s trying to spin the events, but we remember what really happened.
Kanye is certifiably insane. He has documents and prescriptions to prove it. Meanwhile Chrisette has no such excuse. PLUS you as a black woman KNEW BETTER. Bye Chris!
Kanye has a white fan base so they didn’t care and Travis is gospel. They don’t get involved in politics period. That considered let the girl tour the black market again
The answer is somewhat simpler than she thinks.
Wyt people are the biggest buyers of Kanye’s and all of the rap artists music you see these days. The black community has cancelled Kanye. Chrisette’s fan base was black people so the impact was bigger for her.
The rest of her statement wasn’t wrong, but in essence wyt people don’t care.
Interesting point.
Just make great new music, boo boo lol..you’re not canceled! ✅
her record company and netflix cancelled her…
Valid conversation. Kanye can call slavery a choice and support Trump and go on like nothing happened. I’m not sure Chrisette should really believe she’s cancelled though until she attempts to put out great new music and no one supports it. Maybe she has tried and I just didn’t hear about it.
The slavery comment was completely tooken out of context because of delivery but the rest I agree with.
There’s alot of layers to this particular situation. She’s not wrong, but she not completely right either. Kanye is mentally unstable, that’s a proven fact. Doesn’t make supporting Trump any less questionable, but take into account that this man also takes medicine to think and still can’t think outside of music. Also, she didn’t have a fanbase to begin with. Her last hit was 8 years ago, and that was only moderate and on R&B charts. She isn’t that known so it wasn’t hard for the black community to turn on her. Kanye is internationally known, but most of his fanbas are white. Black ppl don’t support Kanye where it matters so it’s not like he’s doing better than her there. Yes, him being a man plays a big part in this and it’s wrong but sis it’s been wrong. You folded for a couple of thousands, I don’t blame you because black ppl don’t support you but don’t be mad at the consequences. If you feel so strongly about being canceled, why perform at the event? It was bound to happen! Just do what Jay Z taught Kanye to do: pander their white asses and take their money.
She’s not Kanye. That’s the difference. It’s not a gender thing. She just isn’t that impactful. Period. Kanye is a living legend. His antics were there well before trump, and will be there well after. We expect this of him. But never of CM, and like I stated before…she just doesn’t have the clout. Sorry
I don’t believe you can be canceled, if they are true fans who love your music then they will stay. You didn’t do anything wrong and I believe in forgiveness, I am not perfect nor do I try to act perfect. I believe our people need to come to the aid when we fall because no one else will do it for us but us.
Selective outrage!!! Cardi is another who’s been giving a FREE PASS. I do not take most of these outrages seriously.
Kanye was ill and did a lot of questionable things at the time. She was of sound mind and defended her decision. Kanye has since come out and changed his political allegiances. Kanye is as and as a box of frogs. People focus on his music. He’s been called out on that by Jay Z and John Legend though.
She definitely has a point because what Kanye did was way worse. He was literally endorsing Trump every chance she got. All she did was collect a check. The wrong check but it was just that one thing! I just never been a fan of her music so either way I was good no shade but I do believe she should still be able to have a career if Kanye can.
1. He kept himself in the news (crazy antics, presidential run, divorce with a mega social media staple, stadium listening parties…) vs. you went MIA
2. He expanded his fan base by aligning with a white republican. Those hillbilly folks are loyal buyers. Just look at country music sales (guess who made LIL Nas X’s debut song break #1 records?) vs. you caved in and lost black AND white, republican AND democrat support by backing down.
3. Ye is part of a pop culture that streams 27-track LPs to the top vs. your small gospel niche
Ms. Michele isn’t as relevant in this day and age, and that’s why she was dismissed..While she may be more talented than Mr. West, fickle black folks have an attention span, as long as their noses!