Jennifer Holliday Hasn’t Committed to Trump Inauguration, Despite Announcement From His Team (Exclusive)

“And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)” singer may or may not be going to Washington

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UPDATED Saturday at 8.15 a.m. PT: Holliday has canceled plans to perform at the inauguration.

UPDATED Friday at 5.15 p.m. PT: A publicist for Holliday told TheWrap late Friday afternoon that the “Dreamgirls” star will perform at the inauguration.

“It’s now confirmed,” Holliday’s publicist Bill Carpenter said. “She will perform there.”

PREVIOUSLY:

It looks like Donald Trump’s inauguration team jumped the gun on pledging that Broadway star Jennifer Holliday will perform: A spokesman for the “Dreamgirls” veteran says she has been asked to sing, but hasn’t yet agreed.

“Jennifer has been asked to perform but she hasn’t officially agreed to do so yet,” her publicist, Bill Carpenter, told TheWrap. “I’ll let you know later this afternoon for sure if she’ll be performing.”

On Friday, Trump’s inauguration spokesman, Boris Epshteyn tweeted: “Can’t wait for @TobyKeithMusic, @LadyJHOLLIDAY, @3doorsdown, etc. and remarks from @realDonaldTrump at the Welcome Celebration!”

That led to several critical tweets from Holliday fans who expressed disappointment that she would take part.

Friday’s announcement was significant because Trump has had so much trouble booking inauguration talent. As TheWrap first reported, two talent bookers said Trump’s team had even offered ambassadorships in an attempt to wrangle A-list talent. Many of those approached have said they do not want to “normalize” Trump’s presidency.

Singer Paul Anka said Friday he would have to back out of plans to sing “My Way,” but said it was because of a scheduling conflict, not any political reason.

Holliday, known for her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls, is coming off of a run on “The Color Purple” on Broadway. She received a Grammy for the Dreamgirls anthem “And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going).”

Now she just needs to tell us if she’s going to the inauguration.

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