News & Opinion
Jennifer Holliday Turns Down Inauguration Performance in Open Letter to LGBT Community
Richard Drew/AP
“I sincerely apologize for my lapse of judgment.”
January 14 2017 2:28 PM EST
March 12 2019 1:28 AM EST
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“I sincerely apologize for my lapse of judgment.”
After confirming earlier this week that she would perform at Donald Trump's inauguration, Jennifer Holliday announced she was pulling out in an open letter addressed to the LGBT community.
The Tony Award-winning Dreamgirls singer sent an open letter to The Wrap in which she explained that she agreed to perform "keeping in my tradition of being a 'bi-partisan songbird.'"
However, when LGBT fans expressed their dismay that she would perform for Trump and Mike Pence, despite their records on queer rights, she sincerely listened.
"I sincerely apologize for my lapse of judgment," she said. "... 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."
Signing off, the legendary performer said, "I had no idea that I still meant so much to all of you."