X Factor Star: I'll Play Trump's Inauguration on One Condition

Rebecca Ferguson wants to sing anti-racist anthem
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 3, 2017 1:12 AM CST
Rebecca Ferguson Will Play Inauguration on One Condition
The Capitol is seen with temporary communications towers as preparations continue for the inauguration of Donald Trump.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

One more artist has said yes to playing at Donald Trump's inauguration, but Rebecca Ferguson has one condition: The British singer says she will play the Jan. 20 event if she is allowed to perform anti-racist protest song "Strange Fruit," the BBC reports. In a statement, Ferguson said she had been invited to perform at the inauguration and would play if allowed to sing "a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial. A song that speaks to all the disregarded and down trodden black people in the United States. A song that is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world, then I will graciously accept your invitation and see you in Washington."

No word yet from the Trump camp on the former X-Factor star's request to perform the song, which was recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939 and covered by Nina Simone in 1965, Variety reports. Trump has found it trickier than previous presidents-elect to line up big names for his inauguration, with the event creating discord among the Rockettes and even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, two of the only confirmed acts, reports the Guardian, which lists a few other songs it thinks Trump should consider for his inauguration ceremony, including "Take the Power Back" and "I Will Survive." (Anthony Bourdain blames smug liberals for Trump's election.)

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