UPDATE: DREAMGIRLS, COLOR PURPLE Star Jennifer Holliday Not Confirmed for Trump Inauguration Concert

By: Jan. 13, 2017
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UPDATE: Despite an official announcement from the President-elect's team, Jennifer Holliday's publicist says the DREAMGIRLS and COLOR PURPLE Broadway star has not agreed to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial this month.

Her publicist, Bill Carpenter, told TheWrap: "Jennifer has been asked to perform but she hasn't officially agreed to do so yet. I'll let you know later this afternoon for sure if she'll be performing."

As reported on Twitter, the "'Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration' will take place following Voices of the People and will be broadcast live to the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It will feature historic remarks from President-elect Donald J. Trump and special appearances from Toby Keith, Jon Voight, Jennifer Holliday, The Piano Guys, Lee Greenwood, RaviDrums, 3 Doors Down, and The Frontmen of Country (featuring Tim Rushlow, former lead singer of 'Little Texas', Larry Stewart of 'Restless Heart' and Richie McDonald of 'Lonestar'). The celebration will also feature the participation of military bands as we honor our Armed Forces across all inaugural events and a fireworks show by Grucci at the conclusion."

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this week, Paul Anka was set to sing a special version of his iconic song 'My Way' at the Presidential Inauguration on January 20th. He has since pulled out of the gig. The Rockettes, the Mormon Tablernacle Choir and America's Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho are still slated to perform.

Tony and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Holliday catapulted to stardom 35 years ago in the smash Broadway musical, DREAMGIRLS, with her show-stopping performance as Effie "Melody" White, the iconic role which garnered her a Tony Award for Best Actress in A Musical. She was discovered at age 17 while singing in her church choir in Houston, Texas by Broadway dancer Jamie Patterson, who persuaded and guided her to New York, where she made her Broadway debut in Vinnette Carroll's Your Arms Too Short To Box With God as a featured soloist.

Beyond Broadway, Holliday appeared as cast regular Lisa Knowles on the quirky Fox TV hit show, Ally McBeal. She has also enjoyed a successful recording career, winning her first Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her torch-ballad signature song, "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going." Most recently, Ms. Holliday received rave reviews and top soul-music charts recognition for her latest CD, The Song Is You.



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