Jennifer Holliday held back tears as she opened up about the backlash she faced for initially agreeing to perform at Donald Trump ‘s inaugural festivities.
\u00ab\u00a0I haven’t done anything to be called names,\u00a0\u00bb the Tony-Award-winning star of Broadway’s \u00ab\u00a0Dreamgirls\u00a0\u00bb said Tuesday on ABC’s \u00ab\u00a0The View. \u00ab\u00a0
The singer said she was called the \u00ab\u00a0n-word\u00a0\u00bb and received death threats.
\u00ab\u00a0I woke up and there was like this whole thing of terrible tweets and things on my Instagram, and I was like, ‘Oh Lord, what did I do,'\u00a0\u00bb Holliday recalled after it was announced that she was among the lineup of performers at the \u00ab\u00a0Make America Great! Again Welcome Celebration. \u00ab\u00a0
Holliday later pulled out of the event.
\u00ab\u00a0I live a pretty reclusive life,\u00a0\u00bb she told \u00ab\u00a0The View\u00a0\u00bb co-hosts. \u00ab\u00a0You’re not on the radio and then one morning you wake up and everyone hates you. \u00ab\u00a0
\u00ab\u00a0Because I’m an artist and I love America! \u00a0\u00bb @LadyJHOLLIDAY says of why she originally planned to perform at a Trump inauguration event. pic.twitter.com\/AxDOAvsLl8
The singer said she was open to performing at first \u00ab\u00a0because I’m an artist and I love America. \u00ab\u00a0
Holliday has performed for four other presidents — Ronald Reagan , George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. \u00ab\u00a0It didn’t dawn on me that this was a bad thing and we’re not doing America right now,\u00a0\u00bb she said.
\u00ab\u00a0It was my honest desire that my voice…could be used as an instrument of healing and unity,\u00a0\u00bb she added.
After a letter in The Daily Beast , titled \u00ab\u00a0Jennifer Holliday Will Perform at Trump’s Inauguration , Which Is Heartbreaking to Gay Fans\u00a0\u00bb was published last Friday, Holliday decided to back out of her commitment.
\u00ab\u00a0The gay community since ‘Dreamgirls’ for 35 years has been faithfully there for me,\u00a0\u00bb she told \u00ab\u00a0The View. \u00a0\u00bb \u00ab\u00a0They were hurting and in pain. \u00ab\u00a0
Long considered an ally of the LGBT community, the singer said she didn’t want to be perceived as being a \u00ab\u00a0liar\u00a0\u00bb or a \u00ab\u00a0hypocrite\u00a0\u00bb by performing at the inauguration.
\u00ab\u00a0Please 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,\u00a0\u00bb she said in an open letter last week announcing her decision not to perform. \u00ab\u00a0You have loved me faithfully and unconditionally and for so many years you provided me with work even though my star had long since faded. \u00ab\u00a0<\/p>\n

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