We can now add Rebecca Ferguson and Charlotte Church to the list of performers that have turned down an invite to sing at Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.
As we reported, Ferguson revealed last week that she was asked to perform and said she would, but only if she could sing the anti-lynching anthem titled "Strange Fruit." On Tuesday, however, the runner-up from season seven of Britain's The X Factor announced via her website that she will not be participating.
"I wasn't comfortable with the song choice made on my behalf, and although I'm very blessed to have a gift that gives me amazing opportunities, as a mother and an artist, I had to defend my stance," she posted. "That is why I made the decision to sing Strange Fruit when I was invited. I requested to sing Strange Fruit, as I felt it was the only song that would not compromise my artistic integrity and also as somebody who has a lot of love for all people, but has a special empathy as well for African American people and the #blacklivesmatter movement, I wanted to create a moment of pause for people to reflect. There are many gray areas about the offer for me to perform that I'm unable to share right now, but I will not be singing."
There were no gray areas when it came to Charlotte Church. She said that members of the president-elect's staff approached her about singing as well. She took to Twitter and tweeted at Trump to let him and everyone else know that wasn't happening.
"Your staff have asked me to sing at your inauguration, a simple Internet search would show I think you're a tyrant. Bye," she ended the tweet with several emojis that most people wouldn't want tweeted at them.
So we know these ladies will not be singing and the list of those who are is pretty short so how about maybe having a DJ at the inauguration? Turns out Trump's team already tried that and Moby turned them down and posted about it on his Instagram page.
"Hahahahaha, I was just asked by a booking agent if I would consider djing at one of the inaugural balls for #trump. Hahahahaha, wait, Hahahaha, really?" he wrote. "I would probably play public enemy and stockhausen remixes to entertain the republicans. I'm still laughing. Hahahaha. So #trump what do you think, I DJ for you and you release your tax returns?"
With only 10 days to go Jackie Evancho, the Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Talladega College Marching Tornadoes are the only confirmed performers for the ceremony.