French Canadian music artist Celine Dion has reportedly turned down an offer to perform during the upcoming inauguration of US President-elect Donald J. Trump.
While the “My Heart Will Go On” singer is not an American, some reports claim that she, just like other music artists before her, has shunned the invitation so as not to normalize the presidency of Donald Trump.
A lot of American music and celebrity artists have said that they will leave the US once Trump is elected President of the country. But thus far, not one of them has officially delivered on their promise although they have until January 20 to do so since Trump will only become American President by that time.
Reports have it that Celine Dion refused to perform even though it is a historic event but she is actually not the first music artist to do so.
Not too long ago, British iconic singer Elton John has turned down an offer to sing at Trump’s inauguration, reports the Pinknews of UK.
Dousing cold water on their hopes
It was reportedly Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn who had promised Mark Burnett to deliver Celine Dion for the January 20 event.
It can be recalled that Celine Dion has a Las Vegas residency and it seems that Wynn felt that he could pull some strings to be able to convince the “When You Believe” singer to agree to perform for the inauguration of the new US President.
Mark Burnett, on the other hand, is the man who is said to be leading Trump’s inauguration plans and is also known as the producer of “Celebrity Apprentice”, a spin-off of the reality TV show “The Apprentice” that made Trump very popular.
Burnett expressed elation on the promised made by Wynn that he can bring in Celine Dion. Apparently, both their high hopes and expectations were doused cold water upon as “The Power of Love” hitmaker simply refused to accept the offer, notes Contact Music.
No problem with booking top artists
As a result of the turning down of Celine Dion to sing at Trump’s inauguration, rumors started swirling claiming that the team of the incoming US President is having problems with booking top artists.
But the team expectedly denied the speculations. Communications Director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee Boris Epshteyn said via e-mail that first-class entertainers are eager to participate in President Trump’s inaugural event.
Epshteyn further explained that the inauguration as a whole will be an exciting and uniting celebration of freedom and democracy. He added that they will be releasing further details at the appropriate time.
In addition, a representative of Steve Wynn also denied claims that the hotelier made a promise to book Celine Dion for the inaugural event.
The spokesman said that Mr. Wynn was not asked to book specific performers for the inauguration, nor did he ever a make a commitment to find specific performers.
Thus far, the only person confirmed to perform at the inaugural event is “America’s Got Talent” contestant, 16-year-old Jackie Evancho, who was first discovered by Canadian songwriter and producer, David Frost.
Celine Dion is regarded as one of pop music’s most influential voices. She was once described as a reigning “Queen of Pop” for her influence over the record industry during the 1990s.
Her music and vocal style, alongside that of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, have been said to shape how the bulk of modern female pop vocalists sing.
These three singers have been widely credited with reviving the power ballad and in doing so reshaping the adult contemporary radio format, making it one of the most popular formats of the 1990s and early 2000s.
A little over two years ago, Dion announced the indefinite postponement of all her show business activities, including the “Celine” residency show in Las Vegas, and the cancellation of her Asian Tour because of the worsening state of her husband’s health after he underwent the removal of a cancerous tumor in December 2013.