Rockettes bosses on inauguration: 'It's always their choice to perform'
Donald Trump's inaugural committee has secured the participation of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the New York City Rockettes, but not every performer is happy about it.
After MSG Entertainment, the organization that owns the Rockettes, signed on, dancer Phoebe Pearl registered her disappointment in an Instagram post that was subsequently removed, but not before being screen-grabbed and transcribed by multiple media outlets.
Pearl wrote: "I usually don't use social media to make a political stand but I feel overwhelmed with emotion. Finding out that it has been decided for us that Rockettes will be performing at the Presidential inauguration makes me feel embarrassed and disappointed. The women I work with are intelligent and are full of love and the decision of performing for a man that stands for everything we're against is appalling. I am speaking for just myself but please know that after we found out this news, we have been performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts. We will not be forced! #notmypresident"
Broadway World confirmed the veracity of an email from the American Guild of Variety Artists, the union that represents the Rockettes, to its membership.
"We have received an email from a Rockette expressing concern about getting 'involved in a dangerous political climate' but I must remind you that you are all employees, and as a company, (MSG Entertainment chairman) Mr. (James) Dolan obviously wants the Rockettes to be represented at our country's Presidential inauguration, as they were in 2001 (and) 2005. Any talk of boycotting this event is invalid, I'm afraid."
Despite the union ruling, Pearl still may not have to perform. In a statement Friday, a MSG spokesperson told the Hollywood Reporter, "For a Rockette to be considered for an event, they must voluntarily sign up and are never told they have to perform at a particular event, including the inaugural. It is always their choice. In fact, for the coming inauguration, we had more Rockettes request to participate than we have slots available."
It wasn't clear if the Rockettes would be performing in the Jan. 20 parade or at one of the balls that evening.
The 360-member Mormon Tabernacle Choir will perform at the inaugural ceremony during Trump's swearing-in. It previously performed at the inaugurations of Ronald Reagan and his successor, George H. W. Bush.
They, too, have also been called on to change their minds about performing.
Some 6,000 people, including many Mormons, have signed a Change.Org petition asking their fellow church members to reconsider.
Randall Thacker, who initiated the petition, wrote, “We, as signers of this petition, believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' decision to allow the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform at the upcoming presidential inauguration of Donald Trump does not reflect the values of Mormonism and does not represent its diverse 15+ million members worldwide.”
The only other confirmed act is America's Got Talent finalist Jackie Evancho, who will sing the national anthem during the ceremony.
The Beach Boys confirmed they have also been asked to perform but have not yet decided whether to accept the invitation.
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