Jennifer Holliday Pulls Out of Inauguration Performance, Apologizes to LGBT Community (Exclusive)

Jennifer Holliday has canceled her appearance at Donald Trump’s inauguration event next week, calling her decision to perform a “lapse of judgement.”

In an open letter, provided exclusively to TheWrap, the “Dreamgirls” star apologized to the LGBT community, saying she was “uneducated on the issues that affect every American at this crucial time in history and for causing such dismay and heartbreak to my fans.”

The Tony and Grammy winner came under fire from some of her fans on Friday after it was announced that she was set to perform at a concert as part of Trump’s inauguration festivities.

Also Read: Jennifer Holliday Confirms She Will Perform at Trump Inauguration

Holliday, considered a longtime LGBT ally, explained that she changed her mind after reading a Friday Daily Beast story titled, “Jennifer Holliday Will Perform at Trump’s Inauguration, Which Is Heartbreaking to Gay Fans.”

The article argued that the singer’s decision to participate in the inaugural event was “an act that seems to defy everything her most passionate supporters stand for, and even issues she herself has supported throughout her career.”

“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!”

Holliday ends her letter telling her gay fans: “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… 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.”

On Friday, Trump’s inauguration team announced that she would perform, along with Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down, Lee Greenwood and other entertainers, in a Jan. 19 event at the Lincoln Memorial called the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration.”

Also Read: Jennifer Holliday Blasted for Trump Inauguration Gig: 'So Disappointed'

Many fans were surprised by the inclusion of Holliday, best known as the original Effie White in Broadway’s original production of “Dreamgirls.”

Holliday told the New York Times that she had been “startled and disheartened” by the “venom that greeted the news of her participation.”

According to the Times, Holliday “sounded certain about her choice.” But her publicist Bill Carpenter later told TheWrap that she had not yet committed to the event, eventually confirming her participation a few hours later.

Read Holliday’s full letter below.

TO MY BELOVED LGBT COMMUNITY:

Please allow me this opportunity to speak to you directly and to explain why I originally made my decision to perform at the inauguration which was what I had thought would be my simply keeping in my tradition of being a “bi-partisan songbird” having sung for Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush.

I was asked to sing a song for what was presented to me as the “Welcome Concert For The People”– in my mind I was reflecting on the past times of being asked to sing for presidents and I only focused on the phrase “For The People”… I thought, For America!

I was honestly just thinking that I wanted my voice to be a healing and unifying force for hope through music to help our deeply polarized country… Regretfully, I did not take into consideration that my performing for the concert would actually instead be taken as a political act against my own personal beliefs and be mistaken for support of Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

In light of the information pointed out to me via the Daily Beast article on yesterday, 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!

I Sincerely apologize for my lapse of judgement, for being uneducated on the issues that affect every American at this crucial time in history and for causing such dismay and heartbreak to my fans.

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… 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.

Thank you for communicating with me, I had no idea that I still meant so much to all of you.

Thank you for your posted comments both the good supportive ones as well as the ugly hurtful ones.

With LOVE & Appreciation,

JENNIFER HOLLIDAY
“The Original DreamGirl”

23 Stars Definitely Not Performing at Trump Inauguration (Updating Photos)

Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who have said publicly they wouldn't perform for the occasion.
GARTH BROOKS

He may have quibbled when confronted by TMZ, but no, Garth Brooks will not be performing at the inauguration.
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IDINA MENZEL

The "Wicked" star got a little snarky when asked to comment on Donald Trump having trouble locking down Inauguration performers, telling Vanity Fair, "It's karma, baby."
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THE CHAINSMOKERS

A rumor that turned out to be a joke from a journalist aside, no, the DJ duo will not be performing.
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THE DIXIE CHICKS

Their manager, Simon Renshaw, told TheWrap that their hit "Not Ready to Make Nice" should be the anthem of every entertainer dealing with Trump. He said of anyone who agrees to perform: “I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get.”
ELTON JOHN

Despite a Trump transition team member claiming on the BBC that the "Tiny Dancer" singer would be performing at a concert on the Mall to celebrate "the first American president in U.S. history that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance," nope. Not true.
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ANDREA BOCELLI

The operatic Italian tenor declined an offer to perform at the inaugural events, PageSix reported, fearing a backlash among his fans.
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CELINE DION

The French Canadian hit-maker declined an approach from Trump ally and Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn to perform, TheWrap reported.
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KANYE WEST

The hip-hop giant may have met with the president-elect (and put off his own presidential bid until at least 2024) but Tom Barrack, head of Trump's inaugural committee, told CNN, "He is not performing at the inauguration."
ERIC McCORMACK

The "Passengers" and "Will & Grace" star and singer said he'd be willing to perform -- but only after "a lobotomy."
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ICE-T

“I just got call to perform at the Inauguration … I didn’t pick up and Blocked the number,” the rapper tweeted. Trump's team declined to confirm or deny.
KISS

Gene Simmons told TMZ in December that the band had been approached about performing but declined -- in part because they would be touring in Europe at that time.
ADAM LAMBERT

Former "American Idol" finalist and Queen frontman told the BBC that he'd pass on playing the inauguration no matter how big the check that was offered. "I don't think I would take the money on that one," he told the BBC. "I don't think I'd be endorsing that."
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MICHAEL RAPPAPORT

The actor and comedian will not only not perform, he also has strong words for anyone who does, saying they "should be ashamed of themselves."
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ALEX WOLFF
The "Patriot's Day" actor, who is also in a band with his brother Nat Wolff, did not mince words when asked if he would perform: "I’m not going to elaborate further because I know when to be tight-lipped, but no f---ing way."
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CHARLOTTE CHURCH

The Welsh singer-songwriter tweeted her decline of an invitation to perform on January 10, saying "a simple Internet search would show I think you're a tyrant. Bye."
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ISSA RAE

The HBO "Insecure" creator and star said in December she would have to be "'Weekend at Bernie'ed" to show up to Trump's inauguration.
TheWrap
REBECCA FERGUSON

The British pop star also declined a Trump inauguration -- though she said she'd consider accepting if she was allowed to perform Billie Holiday's classic protest song "Strange Fruit."
MOBY

The DJ announced on Instagram on January 9 that he had been approached to perform, and he declined, saying: "I guess I’d DJ at an inaugural ball if as payment #trump released his tax returns."
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JAN CHAMBERLIN

This Mormon Tabernacle Choir member made waves in late December by quitting the group rather than perform at the inauguration.
CNN
FRANK SINATRA

Were the late iconic singer still alive today, he "would never support a bigot" by performing at Trump's inauguration, according to his daughter Nancy.
Frank Sinatra Enterprises
PAUL ANKA

After agreeing to perform at the inauguration, the legendary singer backed out of plans to perform “My Way” for President-elect Donald Trump. Anka insisted the decision is not out of protest.
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R KELLY

Then R&B star was forced to deny reports that he would performing at the inaugural festivities tweeting: “Despite the rumors circulating online, R. Kelly will not be performing at this years [sic] inauguration ceremony,” the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer tweeted Thursday night. “Any reports stating otherwise are simply untrue.”

“End. Of. Story.,” Kelly added.
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY

After confirming her participation, Holliday eventually pulled out, calling the decision to perform a “lapse in judgement.”
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Performers including Garth Brooks, Celine Dion and The Chainsmokers have made other plans for January 20

Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who have said publicly they wouldn't perform for the occasion.

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