*At least one of the Radio City Rockettes will be dragged kicking (more than usual) and screaming to their performance at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.
Not long after MSG Entertainment, owners of the Rockettes, confirmed their participation on Thursday, dancer Phoebe Pearl posted a now-deleted message on her personal Instagram account to express her embarrassment and disappointment over being forced to perform.
Forced…because the American Guild of Variety Artists, the union representing the Rockettes, ruled any boycott of the Jan. 20 event as “invalid” and that all full-time dancers were “obligated” to work, according to an email seen by BroadwayWorld.com.
“I usually don’t use social media to make a political stand but I feel overwhelmed with emotion,” Pearl wrote in Instagram. “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”
In addition to the Rockettes, Trump has only managed to book the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and “America’s Got Talent” star Jackie Evancho to perform for his inauguration. Celine Dion and Elton John are among the celebs that have turned him down.
Of course Trump tried to change the narrative, claiming via Twitter that he doesn’t want “A-list” celebs at his inauguration, anyway.
The so-called “A” list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I want the PEOPLE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2016
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