Amid backlash, Nelly is defending his decision to perform at an inaugural ball following President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in on Monday.
The rapper, 50, spoke with Willie D in a YouTube stream Saturday after it was revealed he will perform at the Liberty Ball, one of three official inaugural balls, on Inauguration Day. He said he is “not political” and that his performance isn’t about endorsing Trump.
“I respect the office,” Nelly said. “This isn’t politics. The politics, for me, it’s over. He won. He’s the president. He’s the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world.”
The “Hot In Herre” artist continued: “It is an honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”
“If President Biden would have asked me to perform, I would have performed. If Vice President Kamala Harris would have won and asked me to perform, I would have performed.”
The three-time Grammy-winner, who described himself as an independent, brushed off the criticism he has received, saying, “I’ve been getting backlash my whole career. That don’t bother me.”
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When Nelly was asked directly if he is a Trump supporter during the stream, he reiterated, “I support the president of the United States, regardless of who’s in office. I respect the office.”
In the YouTube comments section, many fans weren’t satisfied with Nelly’s explanation.
“Nelly made his decision which he had a right to do, we do as well and my decision is to no longer support Nelly in any aspect, music or otherwise,” one comment read.
Another said, “Man when he said to always respect the office, Trump don’t even respect the office.”
Whoopi Goldberg defends Carrie Underwood’s decision to sing at Trump inauguration
Nelly was the latest artist to announce an inauguration performance and subsequently face criticism.
Carrie Underwood previously announced she would sing “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration. In a statement, she said, “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
After the “American Idol” star’s announcement sparked backlash, Whoopi Goldberg defended her on “The View.”
“I stand behind her,” she said. “If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform someplace, I believe they have the same right. So I have to support (her). It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested in watching. I won’t be watching. But that’s me.”
The Village People announced they would partake in inaugural activities but made clear in a Facebook post that they did not support Trump in the election.
“We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear, however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” the group said. “Our song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.”
Snoop Dogg also received backlash after performing at the Inaugural Crypto Ball, an event in Washington, D.C., ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
Late last year, Jelly Roll made similar comments to Nelly after he received backlash over a video of him laughing and smiling while meeting Trump at a UFC event. On the “Dumb Blonde” podcast, the “Save Me” singer said he is “not political” but respects the office of the presidency.
“There’s not a chance in hell I’m not going to meet the president-elect,” Jelly Roll said. “If I would have gotten a call to go meet with Joe Biden at any point, I would have stopped what I was doing to go meet him. That’s the active president! I wouldn’t have cared what people thought, even what I think, about his policies.”
Contributing: Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY
