Getty Images

Latin performer J Balvin has canceled his performance at the Miss USA pageant in protest of Donald Trump’s comments about Mexicans during last week’s presidential announcement speech.

The singer from Medellín, Colombia, has pulled out of the show, which airs live on July 12 on NBC, despite it being one of the biggest bookings of his career.

“It was going to be my first performance on national [mainstream] television,” Balvin told Billboard on Wednesday.

“We’re talking about our roots, our culture, our values,” he said. “This isn’t about being punitive, but about showing leadership through social responsibility. His comments weren’t just about Mexicans, but about all Latins in general.”

Also Read: Donald Trump Sparks Twitter War With Neil Young, Calls Singer 'Total Hypocrite'

Trump, who owns the Miss Universe Organization in a joint venture with NBCUniversal, has come under heavy fire for the controversial — and many think racist — comments during his June 16 speech, when he called immigrants criminals and rapists.

“When do we beat Mexico at the border?” asked Trump. “They’re laughing at us, at our stupidity. And now they are beating us economically. They are not our friend, believe me. But they’re killing us economically.

“The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” he continued. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

Also Read: Cher Threatens to Move to Jupiter If Donald Trump Is Elected President

“It’s coming from more than Mexico. It’s coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably from the Middle East,” he continued.

Upon hearing the speech, and learning of Trump’s connection to the beauty contest, Balvin severed ties with the event. “I think music is to have fun. It’s for people to have a good time with. I’m no savior and I’m no Robin Hood,” he said. “But in this case, I feel totally comfortable and responsible with my decision.”

17 Best & Worst Grammy Awards Moments (Photos)

BEST

Joan River's Grammy

The late comedienne's legacy lives on. She was posthumously awarded the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Diary of a Mad Diva” in a ceremony prior to Sunday's show. The album is the audio version of the late comedienne’s 12th book.
Getty Images
WORST

RiRi's Cupcake Catastrophe

Did the "Diamonds" singer think she was walking the red carpet or in line for a red velvet cupcake? Rihanna brings style and pizzazz to everything she does, but the Grammys weren't one of her best looks.
BEST

"Natural" Nicki Minaj

Nicki went au-naturel on the red carpet in a fitting black Tom Ford gown, with a plunging but classy neckline and slicked back hair to match. It was a toned down look for the "Anaconda" singer, who has walked the carpet with the Pope by her side at the 54th Grammy Awards
Getty Images
BEST & WORST

Madonna Moonlight as a Matador, With an Emphasis on Moon

The 56-year-old entertainer looked fabulous in her matador-inspired Givenchy outfit. But as much as we loved to see her arrive on the red carpet, we hated to see her walking away -- because her butt wasn't covered at all!
Getty Images
WORST

Iggy Azalea's Hair-Don't

Iggy Azalea served in a long blue dress with sheer, geometric cut outs, but her hair? Not so much. The do trended quickly on Twitter with comparisons to a Russian muskrat hat or curled goat horns.
Getty Images
WORST

Charli XCX Tries to Get too "Fancy"

Charlie XCX isn't known for not playing by the rule, but this time she may have gone a tad too far. The "Boom Clap" singer stepped out on the Grammys red carpet wearing a pink Moschino tuxedo, bow tie and pink fur wrap, which had some fashionistas seeing red.
Getty Images
BEST

Things That Look Like Other Things

Pharrell looked like a bellhop! Nick Jonas looked like Pee-Wee Herman! Rihanna looked like a shuttlecock! Everyone looked like something else on Sunday.
Twitter
WORST

Social media turns on AC/DC

Good music stays under appreciated. AC/DC fired up the Grammy audience with "Rock or Bust" and "Highway to Hell," but some found it boring. @Haylee_Kitties wrote their performance was a snore fest. False.
CBS
WORST

Pharrell's Humblebrag

Pulling a page, perhaps, from Anne Hathaway's playbook, some felt Pharrell victory speeches were filled with fake humility.
CBS
WORST

Jessie J and Tom Jones' Disaster Duet

The English singer and veteran crooner took on The Righteous Brothers' 1964 hit "You've Got That Loving Feelin'" to some harsh reviews online who thought the performance slowed down the show.
CBS
WORST

Pharrell Hops to It

First, he wore the Arby's hat. Now, he's working at a hotel. The Grammy-winning singer wore a bellhop outfit while performing "Happy." Social media users quickly compared him to "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and Esteban in "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."
Twitter
BEST

Pharrell and His "Happy" Crew Go "Hands Up, Don't Shoot"

Despite the jokes on his bellhop outfit, many praised the "Happy" singer for his subtle "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" gesture onstage. Millions used the phrase as a rally call while protesting a white while protesting recent deaths of at the hands of police officers.
CBS
BEST

Grammys Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence

President Barack Obama delivered a powerful PSA against domestic violence at the Grammys, then survivor Brooke Axtella shared her inspiring tale, and finally Katy Perry performed “By the Grace of God."
CBS
BEST

Kanye West Nearly Pulls Another Kanye West

The rapper interrupted Beck's acceptance speech for "Best Album of the Year." Many praised the joke unlike in 2009 when West cut Taylor Swift's speech short for Best Female Video at the 2009 VMA's.
CBS
BEST

Kristen Wiig Channels Sia.

Singer Sia set the Grammy Awards stage on fire with the help of surprise guest Kristen Wiig. The former “Saturday Night Live” star had audiences in stitches as she channeled Sia during a performance of her hit song, “Chandelier.”
CBS
NEITHER

"Straight Outta Compton"/Suge Knight

The rap mogul's latest tussle with the law resurfaced when Universal Pictures aired a "Straight Outta Compton" ad during the awards show. Knight is currently in jail after he ran over two men - killing one - Jan. 29 during the ad's filming.
WORST

Too Many Ballads

The vast majority of this year's performances were down tempo, which gave the show a sluggish feel, according to some critics. Then again, CBS typically caters to an older, more traditional audience.
CBS

1 of 17

From red carpet mishaps to a somber public service announcement, TheWrap chooses the high and low notes from music’s biggest night

BEST

Joan River's Grammy

The late comedienne's legacy lives on. She was posthumously awarded the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Diary of a Mad Diva” in a ceremony prior to Sunday's show. The album is the audio version of the late comedienne’s 12th book.

View In Gallery