Nelly defended her decision to perform at new President Trump’s inaugural ball this weekend, saying the event “is not an election campaign.”
“I’m not political,” the rapper said during a live chat with Willie D. Saturday night. “I’m not here to try to tell anyone who they should vote for.”
The list of artists booked for Trump’s inauguration events sparked backlash this week, with many fans criticizing the singers for accepting the invitation. Carrie Underwood, Gavin DeGraw and Billy Ray Cyrus are among the guests. Nelly will perform at Liberty’s inaugural ball and was initially announced as a “surprise musical guest” alongside Jason Aldean and the Village People.
“This isn’t me telling you, ‘Yo, you should vote for this candidate.’ I think you should do your homework and figure out what best helps you and the people you love and support because I have no idea about a lot of things at the end of the day,” Nelly continued on Saturday . “But what I will say is I respect the office. It’s not politics. Politics, for me, is over. He won! It’s the president. He is the commander-in-chief of what I would like to call the best country in the world.”
Nelly also spoke about her experience growing up on a military base in Texas, praising her family members who served in the U.S. armed forces. “If these people can give (their) lives for their position, Nelly can perform,” he said. “It is my honor to perform in front of the President of the United States, whoever is in office.”
The “Hot in Herre” singer said he was disappointed by fans’ criticism of his choice to perform. “If President Biden had asked me to play, I would have done it. If Vice President Kamala Harris had won and asked me to play, I would have played… I didn’t know you were riding with me because you thought I would ride for whoever you voted for. I didn’t know I had to agree with your political choices. If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument.
When Willie D. asked the musician if he considered himself a Trump supporter, Nelly responded, “I support the president of the United States, whoever is in power.” Regardless, I respect the office. Elsewhere in the conversation, he said: “Playing for someone and voting for someone are two different things. »
The Hollywood Reporter has contacted Nelly’s representatives for further comment.
