UPDATED: SATURDAY, JAN. 14, 2017 10:30 AM EST
After some confusion about whether Jennifer Holliday would perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Broadway star confirmed with the New York Times that she indeed accepted the invitation for next week’s event.
In a phone interview on Friday, Holliday told the Times that she’s “just a singer,” and that she is not performing in support of the president-elect.
“I’m singing on the mall for the people,” she said. “I don’t have a dog in this fight — I’m just a singer, and it’s a welcome concert for the people on the mall.”
[…]
“I voted for Mrs. Clinton, and they knew that.” But, she said, “if someone wants me to sing a national anthem or something, we think about America, and we go.”
After news spread that Holliday would perform at the inauguration, spokesman William Carpenter came forward to suggest the announcement had been made prematurely. But it seems Carpenter has it wrong — Holliday, who also performed at Ronald Reagan’s inauguration, is headed to Washington D.C.
From the Times:
Ms. Holliday said her goal is to support America: “Are we saying that if there is anything that could be done for America in four or eight years or however long Trump is there, we’re not supposed to participate or help anybody?” she asked. “Shouldn’t we all be praying for the success of America? I would like to sing some hope and have my voice not be associated with some kind of label, but I guess that’s where we are now.”
Well now we know.
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Friday, Jan. 13, 2017
On Wednesday, Broadway.com announced that Jennifer Holliday, the Tony and Grammy-winning Dreamgirls star and Broadway performer, would sing during President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
However, Holliday’s spokesperson told The Wrap that she has yet to accept their offer to perform.
Boris Epshteyn, from The Presidential Inaugural Committee, tweeted that the line-up would consist of Holliday alongside Toby Keith, Jon Voight and 3 Doors Down for the ‘Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.’
Can't wait for @TobyKeithMusic, @LadyJHOLLIDAY, @3doorsdown, etc. and remarks from @realDonaldTrump at the #MAGA Welcome Celebration!
— Boris Epshteyn (@BorisEP) January 13, 2017
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The event is scheduled to take place on the eve of the inauguration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Holliday, known for her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls, recently wrapped up her role as Shug Avery in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
Prior to that, she last appeared on Broadway in Chicago. She has also snagged a Grammy for her pop cover of the Dreamgirls anthem “And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)” and released numerous gospel and R&B albums.
According to Tom Barrack, the chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Trump believes that “The 58th Inaugural will celebrate American history and heritage, while setting the course to a brighter and bolder future for all Americans.”
“Above all, it will serve as tribute to one of our greatest attributes, the peaceful transition of partisan power,” he continued.