(UPDATE) Jennifer Holliday Backs Out Of Trump Inauguration

Jennifer Holliday

Jennifer Holliday On Why She’s Singing For Trump

Update #2. Holliday has backed out as a performer at next week’s presidential inaugural, saying she did not realize that her participation would be interpreted as a statement of support for President-elect Donald Trump. See her statement below.

My only choice must now be to stand with the LGBT Community and to state unequivocally that I WILL NOT PERFORM FOR THE WELCOME CONCERT OR FOR ANY OF THE INAUGURATION FESTIVITIES! Please know that I HEAR YOU and I feel your pain. The LGBT Community was mostly responsible for birthing my career and I am deeply indebted to you,” she added. “You have loved me faithfully and unconditionally and for so many years you provided me with work even though my star had long since faded.

Here’s the backstory: Jennifer Holliday is singing at this year’s presidential inauguration. And some are criticizing the Tony-winning singer’s decision to do so. Holliday explains,

I’m singing on the mall for the people. 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.

Holliday admits that she did not support Trump during the election season,

I voted for Mrs. Clinton, and they knew that — if someone wants me to sing a national anthem or something, we think about America, and we go.

Jennifer Holliday

Holliday is a actress and singer. She started her career on Broadway in musicals such as Dreamgirls (1981–83), Your Arms Too Short to Box with God (1980–81) and later became a successful recording artist. She is best known for her debut single, the Dreamgirls number and rhythm-and-blues/pop hit, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, which won her a Grammy award for Best Female Performance, Rhythm & Blues in 1983. Holliday also won a 1982 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Dreamgirls.

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