Responding to a huge backlash on social media, Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli has backed out of performing at president-elect Donald Trump‘s inauguration ceremony.
Stories claiming Trump’s inaugural committee is having trouble securing A-list performers for the event are widespread, including The Wrap‘s shocking report that Trump’s team has offered “six to seven-figure” enticements and even government appointments to get a big name on the lineup.
According to The Daily Beast, Bocelli was personally courted by Trump, who is known to be a big fan, and was reportedly considering the idea. But after disappointed fans on social media lashed out, Bocelli is out.
From The Daily Beast:
Page Six reported Tuesday evening that Bocelli would no longer be performing, with a source telling the column: “Bocelli said there was no way he’d take the gig… he was ‘getting too much heat’ and he said no.”
However, Page Six also suggested that the president-elect had a hand in the decision, adding that another source said: “Trump suggested to Bocelli he not participate because of the backlash. It’s sad people on the left kept him from performing on a historic day.”
The withdrawal of Andrea Bocelli, who became blind at the age of 12 following a football accident, leaves a gaping hole at the heart of the inauguration, however, he had little choice, with fans taking to social media to protest his participation and the hashtag #BoycottBocelli gathering steam.
Before Bocelli’s withdrawal, the hashtag #BoycottBocelli started to catch traction:
RT to tell @AndreaBocelli you WILL boycott his shows & albums! #BoycottBocelli P.S. BOYCOTT @jackieevancho, for performing for #TraitorTrump https://t.co/OT2NFzgfqZ
— Gina (@redhed67) December 18, 2016
How many fans does @AndreaBocelli have in red states?Blue states? If he performs at the traitor's inauguration I'll have to #BoycottBocelli
— Camilla Bijoux 🫔🥖🍔🥑🌶🍷🍣🌮🍧🍾 (@camila_bijoux) December 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/wotupdog/status/810264134973607937
Featured image via YouTube
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