MOBILE, Alabama -- After the controversy surrounding the Prancing Elites' performance in the Semmes Christmas Parade, the dance group has been told they are no longer welcome to perform in the MoonPie Over Mobile parade on New Year's Eve.

Group members said they were invited to participate in the parade on Dec. 11, but that was before some people in Semmes expressed outrage about the dance style and costumes of the all-male group.

Carol Hunter, president of Events Mobile, sent this response Tuesday to Alabama Media Group on behalf of event organizers: "

The Prancing Elites expressed an interest in participating in the New Year's Eve parade, however the Events Mobile committee has decided not to include the group in this year's event."

"I felt crushed," said Kentrell Collins, 26, the captain of the Prancing Elites J-Sette dance group. "We were really looking forward to that particular parade to bring in the New Year.

"It was almost like we lost a best friend because we had been hanging onto something and it got taken away from us."

Suzanne Massingill, owner of Barefoot Models & Talent Agency in Mobile and the Prancing Elites' agent, said she spoke with Hunter Tuesday morning.

"I offered (that the performers would wear) jogging suits and said we'd even sign a contract but she said the decision was already made," Massingill said.