The Rockettes Will Have To Kick And Smile At The Inauguration Or Lose Their Jobs

December 23, 2016 / Posted by:

The inauguration of the United States’ future overlord Donald Trump is less than a month away and up until a couple of days ago, the only confirmed act to perform was America’s Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho who will sing the national anthem. Jackie’s sister is transgender, so maybe at the end of the national anthem she’ll sing, “Aaaaaaaand fuuuuuuck youuuuu Mike Peeeeeeence.” Probably.

Andrea Bocelli was confirmed to sing and then later it was confirmed that he would not sing. Elton John, Celine Dion, KISS and Garth Brooks all reportedly turned down offers. So it was looking like the inauguration talent line-up would only include Jackie Evancho, The Cries Of The People Choir, the squishy sound of Trump fapping over getting the nuclear codes and Ted Nugent (backed by Scott Baio on tambourine). But then yesterday it was announced that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Rockettes will join the illustrious A-list lineup at the inauguration. Some Rockettes aren’t happy about that, but were told in so many words that if they don’t kick for Trump, they can kick their way to the back of the unemployment line.

I always thought that when a Rockette signs on to be a Rockette, her mouth automatically moves into the plastered-on smile position and stays that way until her contract expires. But at least one Rockette has broken her smile to frown over her employer, MSG Entertainment, booking them for Trump’s inauguration.

One Rockette, Phoebe Pearl, reportedly wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post that she’s embarrassed and disappointed and will not be forced to dance for Trump.

“I usually don’t use social media to make a political stand but I feel overwhelmed with emotion. Finding out that it has been decided for us that Rockettes will be performing at the Presidential inauguration makes me feel embarrassed and disappointed. The women I work with are intelligent and are full of love and the decision of performing for a man that stands for everything we’re against is appalling. I am speaking for just myself but please know that after we found out this news, we have been performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts. We will not be forced! #notmypresident.”

Broadway World got a hold of an e-mail from a top bitch at the American Guild of Variety Artists, the union that represents the Rockettes, and it says that all full-time Rockettes (there’s 12 of them) are contractually obligated to do it OR ELSE!

“We have received an email from a Rockette expressing concern about getting “involved in a dangerous political climate” but I must remind you that you are all employees, and as a company, Mr. Dolan obviously wants the Rockettes to be represented at our country’s Presidential inauguration, as they were in 2001 & 2005. Any talk of boycotting this event is invalid, I’m afraid.

We have been made aware of what is going on Facebook and other social media, however, this does not change anything unless Radio City has a change of heart. The ranting of the public is just that, ranting. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but this does not change your employment status for those who are full time.

This has nothing to do with anyone’s political leanings (including AGVA’s), it has to do with your best performance for your employer, period. I will reiterate that if Hillary Clinton was the President-elect, nothing would be different, and there would probably be those who would not want to be involved because of her. It is a job, and all of you should consider it an honor, no matter who is being sworn in. The election is over and this country will not survive if it remains divided.

Everyone is entitled to her own political beliefs, but there is no room for this in the workplace.

If you are not full time, you do not have to sign up to do this work. If you are full time, you are obligated. Doing the best performance to reflect an American Institution which has been here for over 90 years is your job. I hope this pulls into focus the bottom line on this work.”

Well, I’m sure that there’s at least one full-time Rockette who has a magnifying glass over her contract right now and is looking for anything that says that she’s not allowed to write the words “FUCK TRUMP” on the bottom of her dancing shoes.

UPDATE: I also put this in Crumbs, but now MSG Entertainment is saying that performing the inauguration is voluntary.

Pic: Wenn.com

Tags:
SHARE
Our commenting rules: Don't be racist or bigoted, or post comments like "Who cares?", or have multiple accounts, or repost a comment that was deleted by a mod, or post NSFW pics/videos/GIFs, or go off topic when not in an Open Post, or post paparazzi/event/red carpet pics from photo agencies due to copyright infringement issues. Also, promoting adblockers, your website, or your forum is not allowed. Breaking a rule may result in your Disqus account getting permanently or temporarily banned. New commenters must go through a period of pre-moderation. And some posts may be pre-moderated so it could take a minute for your comment to appear if it's approved. If you have a question or an issue with comments, email: michaelk@dlisted.com

src="https://c.statcounter.com/922697/0/f674ac4a/1/"
alt="drupal analytics" >