And you, and you, and you — you’re gonna love me! A curious trio of artists have been announced to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial on January 19, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Toby Keith, 3 Doors Down, and Broadway star Jennifer Holliday — whose Dreamgirls character famously demanded love in “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” — will join Jackie Evancho and Big & Rich on the list of entertainers performing at an array Trump celebrations, though it should be noted that this celebration is not the same as the official swearing-in ceremony on January 20 at which Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Rockettes will perform. In a press release, chairman Tom Barrack said that the inauguration will “celebrate American history and heritage” — including, it seems, 3 Doors Down’s big 2000 hit “Kryptonite,” a song without any supervillain implications. No word yet on how any of these artists match the day’s “subtle sensuality” aesthetic.
Update, 5 p.m.: After a statement from her publicist disputing that her performance was a sure thing, Holliday confirmed that she will sing for the president-elect. “I’m singing on the mall for the people. I don’t have a dog in this fight — I’m just a singer, and it’s a welcome concert for the people on the mall,” she told the New York Times. Holliday, who said she voted for Hillary Clinton, expressed dismay that her fans were critical of her choice. “Shouldn’t we all be praying for the success of America? I would like to sing some hope and have my voice not be associated with some kind of label, but I guess that’s where we are now,” Holliday said.
