The producers of the Radio City Rockettes said dancers can opt out of performing at President-elect Trump’s inauguration following a report that some Rockettes are opposed to participating.
In a statement Friday, the Madison Square Garden Company said the Rockettes always had a choice of whether to perform, though prior reports indicated they did not.
“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,” officials said in a statement “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.”
The statement comes after one Rockette dancer posted a now-deleted message on her personal Instagram account to say the dancers have been “performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts” since they found out the inauguration.
“I usually don’t use social media to make a political stand but I feel overwhelmed with emotion,” dancer Phoebe Pearl posted. “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. I am speaking for just myself but please know that after we found out this news, we have been performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts. We will not be forced! #notmypresident”
The American Guild of Variety Artists, the union representing the Rockettes, had originally called any talk of a boycott by the dancers “invalid,” according to an email seen by BroadwayWorld.
Trump’s inauguration festivities have been shrouded in drama — as well as secrecy — as he struggles to find performers willing to participate. The president-elect shot down criticism that his inauguration festivities are struggling.
“The so-called ‘A’ list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING,” Trump tweeted Thursday night, adding, “I want the PEOPLE!”
