Everyone who has turned down the chance to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration – and the one person who said yes

With just nine days to go until Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th President Of The United States, there’s still no word of which artists will perform at his inauguration.

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The event, which takes place every four years, is a celebration of the upcoming presidency and Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, and Ricky Martin have all previously performed for past presidents.

But for some reason, Trump, the highly controversial president-elect, is finding it very difficult to find anyone to perform.

So let’s take a look at exactly which A-list artists have turned down the once-in-a-lifetime chance, and which have flat out refused to even entertain the idea.




And who has said yes?

Charlotte Church – turned Trump down

Welsh opera singer was reportedly asked to perform but in a seering take down on social media she rejected his team’s offer – and branded him a ‘tyrant’ at the same time.

@realDonaldTrump Your staff have asked me to sing at your inauguration, a simple Internet search would show I think you're a tyrant. Bye???? — Charlotte Church (@charlottechurch) January 10, 2017

Rebecca Ferguson – turned Trump down

Rebecca Ferguson said no (Picture: Redferns)

British singer Rebecca did consider Trump’s alleged offer but only on one condition – that she be allowed to sing Strange Fruit, ‘a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial’.

However her request was denied – we wonder why – and she confirmed on Twitter on Tuesday that she ‘will not be singing’.

Moby – turned Trump down

DJ Moby said no (Picture: Getty Images)

American DJ Moby also turned Trump down… unless the President-elect released his tax returns.

There’s been no update from Trump’s team so we’ll assume that’s a no.

Celine Dion – turned Trump down

Celine said no (Picture: Celinedion.com)

It has been reported that Steve Wynn, the owner of the Las Vegas hotel Wynn and a long-time Trump supporter promised the president-elect that he would be able to lock down Celine, who is currently performing a residency in town.

But it wasn’t to be, with sources now claiming that Celine straight up said ‘non’ to the request.

Elton John – turned Trump down

Elton said no (Picture: Getty)

‘Incorrect. He will NOT be performing,’ said Elton’s reps to the New York Times after Anthony Scaramucci, the member of the presidential transition team, made the claim during an interview on the BBC.

‘There is no truth in this at all,’ the rep added.

That told Trump.

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David Foster – turned Trump down

The Canadian singer took to Instagram to pooh-pooh any reports he would be at Trump’s inauguration.

‘For the record, I was asked to participate in the upcoming inauguration some time ago and I politely and respectfully declined,’ he wrote.

‘Any news outlet that is reporting otherwise is misinformed.’

Ice T – turned Trump down

The acclaimed rapper joked on Twitter that he was called by the team but ‘didn’t pick up and blocked the number’.

I just got call to perform at the Inauguration…. I didn’t pick up and Blocked the number. — ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 16, 2016

Andrea Boccelli – turned down by Trump

It is thought that the classical singer offered his singing services to Trump but Trump inauguration committee chairman Thomas J. Barrack, Jr. confirmed that Trump said thanks but no thanks.

Andrea Bocelli was turned down (Picture: WireImage)

‘The Bocellis came to him and said, “Look, if it would be helpful to you, if you would like us to perform, we would consider it”. And Donald said: “You don’t need to. We’re not in that kind of a framework. Thanks very much for the offer. You’re my friend. You are always welcome at the White House”,’ Barrack told CNBC.



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Vince Neil – turned down by Trump

Vince Neil was uninvited (Picture: Getty)

The Motley Crue singer revealed that the Trump team had originally asked him to perform during the campaign, but that as soon as Trump won he was ‘uninvited’.

Dixie Chicks – flat out refused

If the Chicks were critical of former President George W. Bush there was no way they were going to perform for Trump, but their manager Simon Renshaw cleared up any lingering rumours by admitting it would be the last cheque any one gets if they say yes.

The Dixie Chicks (Picture: Getty Images)

‘If anyone does do it, I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures,’ he said.

‘Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get…No one is prepared to normalise what is going on in the country right now.’

Eric McCormack – flat out refused

Eric McCormack wants a lobotomy first (Picture: Getty)

The Will and Grace star admitted only a ‘lobotomy’ would get him to Trump’s inauguration.

‘My whole brain removed from my head,’ he helpfully added.

Adam Lambert – flat out refused

Adam Lambert doesn’t need the money (Picture: Getty Images)

Adam, who has found fame touring with the remaining members of Queen, admitted that he wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting that pay cheque.

‘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. They might struggle.’

The 1975’s Matt Healy – would consider it

Matt would do it … we’re not sure what the consequences would be though (Picture: Getty Images)

But with a caveat…

‘I’ll do it if they give me cash up front. Then watch what would happen. It would be a riot,’ he told BBC.

Garth Brooks – would consider it

Garth Brooks would do it (Picture: Getty Images)

‘It’s always about serving. It’s what you do,’ Garth told TMZ, even while admitting he hadn’t been asked.


The Beach Boys – would consider it

The Beach Boys are reportedly gearing up to play Donald Trump’s inauguration (Picture: Getty)

In December, a spokesperson for the iconic Pet Sounds group told Billboard: ‘The Beach Boys have been asked to perform as part of the inauguration festivities.

‘But no decision has been made at this point as to how or whether they will participate. We will let you know as soon as a decision is final.’

There has been no update from the Boys yet.

Jackie Evancho – agreed to perform

Who?

Exactly.

Jackie Evancho is doing it (Picture: Getty)

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So far the only confirmed performer is 16-year-old Jackie, who was a contestant on America’s Got Talent.

‘I am so excited. It’s going to be awesome. I felt really honored to be able to sing for the office. It’s a great honor for me,’ she told The Today Show.

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