Mark Hamill Warns Rockettes to 'Remain Vigilant' at Trump Inauguration: 'So Much to Grab'

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“Star Wars” star Mark Hamill jokingly warned the Radio City Rockettes to “remain vigilant” while performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

“Good Luck to #TheRockettes at the Inauguration,” the actor wrote on Twitter on Friday. “Have fun, but remain vigilant Ladies! There’s just so much to grab there. #TheyLetCelebsDoIt”

Hamill is referencing a scandal that erupted during the presidential campaign when audio of Trump bragging about sexually assaulting women surfaced weeks before the election. “I just start kissing them,” Trump was caught saying to then-“Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush. “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything…. Grab them by the p—y.”

Also Read: Rockettes Don't Have to Perform at Trump Inauguration, Radio City Owner Says

News that the Rockettes would be performing at the inauguration turned out to be a contentious issue when various dancers with the troupe began speaking out on social media, saying they were “appalled” that they were being compelled to perform at the event.

“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,” wrote Rockette Phoebe Pearl on her private Instagram account on Thursday.

Also Read: Rockettes Ripped for Opposing Trump Inauguration Performance: 'Do Your Job'

However, on Friday the Madison Square Garden Company, which manages the dance group, issued a statement saying that participation is voluntary.

“The Radio City Rockettes are proud to participate in the 58th Presidential Inaugural,” the company said. “For a Rockette to be considered for an event, they must voluntarily sign up and are never told they have to perform at a particular event, including the inaugural. It is always their choice. In fact, for the coming inauguration, we had more Rockettes request to participate than we have slots available. We eagerly await the inaugural celebrations.”

Also Read: Radio City Rockettes 'Appalled' Over Trump Inauguration Command Performance

The planning of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 has come under heavy scrutiny in recent weeks.

As TheWrap previously reported, Trump’s team has had a difficult time lining up performers for the events next month. The only other confirmed performers are the 16-year-old former “America’s Got Talent” contestant Jackie Evancho and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Performers who are known to have rejected requests include Celine Dion, Elton John, country singer Garth Brooks and opera star Andrea Bocelli.

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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