“We want freedom, justice and liberation for all. When you have that, I will come.”
Being invited to the nation's capital and participating in an event at the White House is considered a great honor, but not everyone feels that way. Celebrities are often invited to presidential events, but they don't always accept the invitations. Some stars have scheduling conflicts, while others decline for personal reasons, such as not agreeing with the way the current administration is running the country. Whatever their reasons for choosing not to attend, these celebrities all feel they made the right choice for themselves.
Find out why these celebs turned down White House invites…
1. Chapel Roan
Chapel Rohan She shared the inspiring message during a recent performance at a music festival in New York, where she dressed up as the Statue of Liberty and recited a poem inscribed on the statue's base, which read in part, “Give me the tired, the poor, the multitudes who yearn to breathe free.”
“It means freedom for transgender rights. It means freedom for women's rights. And it means freedom for all oppressed peoples, especially in occupied territories,” Chappelle said onstage, before talking about her invitation to perform Pride at the White House.
Chappelle continued, “It's a response to the White House asking me to perform for Pride. We want freedom, justice and liberation for all people. When you do that, I'm in.”
2. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton She has reportedly declined several requests to visit the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Donald Trump The first time she was invited, her husband was sick, and the second time she was worried about traveling because of COVID-19. Joe Biden She still wants to accept the award, but thinks it would be too political to accept it now.
“I couldn't accept it because my husband was sick. Then they asked me again but I said I couldn't travel because of COVID-19,” she said. today She says she has no plans to appear on the show. “I don't know, because if I won it I'd feel like I'd get into politics, but I'm not in it for the awards. I'd be happy to win one, but I don't know if I deserve it. But it's a nice compliment that people think I might deserve it.”
3. Stephen Curry
In 2017, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship and the team received an invitation from Donald Trump to visit the White House. Steph He said he did not want to accept the invitation because he did not agree with many things the then-president had done.
“We fundamentally do not condone the actions of the president, the things he said and did not say at the right time, and we hope that if we take action, we can see some change in what we tolerate, what we accept, what we turn a blind eye to in this country,” Steph said at a press conference. “I don't think that everything is going to miraculously get better if we don't go to the White House, but this is my opportunity to express that.”
Donald responded by rescinding the invitation. write“It's considered a huge honor for the winning team to go to the White House. Stephen Curry is hesitant so the invitation is rescinded!”
4. Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli Andrea was reportedly invited to perform at President Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017, but ultimately turned it down. According to Page Six, sources said Andrea felt she was being “overly criticized” and didn't take the job.
Meanwhile, Presidential Inaugural Committee Chairman Tom Barrack told CNBC that Andrea wasn't actually invited and that it was Donald who asked her to perform, saying that it was Donald who turned her down.
5. Dean Martin
Dean Martin is John F. KennedyDuring his presidency, he reportedly declined an invitation to the inauguration. According to Dean's daughter, Deanna Martin, he didn't want to attend because not all of the famous Rat Pack members were invited. JFK reportedly didn't invite Sammy Davis Jr. because he had recently married white actress May Britt and he was concerned that an interracial couple would offend some Americans.
“Sammy Davis Jr. helped elect John F. Kennedy, but then President JFK and his campaign decided to retaliate against Sammy by not allowing him to attend the inauguration because he was in an interracial marriage. It was Dean Martin who stood up for his friend, saying, 'If Sammy doesn't go, I'm not going to the inauguration.'” Dean Martin: King of Cool Director Tom Donahue told Fox News.
Deena added, “He was family, so it was a wonderful thing. My dad was willing to take a stand because it was the right thing to do. It didn't matter what JFK or anybody else thought of him. He was Sammy Davis Jr. and he was his friend. And it made my dad very upset that the family wasn't invited for those reasons. He just said, 'That's not right. I'm not going.' And that was it. He didn't want to think about it any more.”
6. One Direction
In the early stages of your career, One Direction He was invited to visit the White House. Michelle ObamaThe group met her at the 2012 Kids' Choice Awards and she reportedly asked them to perform at the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll, but unfortunately the group had to decline as they were on tour in Australia.
7. Rupi Kaur
2023, Poet Rupi Kaur He was reportedly invited to the Diwali celebrations hosted by the Vice President. Kamala Harris At the White House meeting, Lupi declined the invitation, citing his opposition to the Biden administration's handling of the Palestinian situation. Inspirational letters on social media“It is astonishing that this administration, which supports the ongoing atrocities against Palestinians, would allow the celebration of Diwali, when this holiday has a completely opposite meaning to what it means to many of us,” Lupi wrote.
“I plead with the South Asian community to hold this administration accountable. As a Sikh woman, I will not allow my likeness to be used to cover up the actions of this administration. I will reject any invitation from institutions that support collective punishment of trapped civilians, 50% of whom are children,” she wrote.
8. Tom Brady
Tom Brady Trump has missed several White House events, including not attending the celebration in the nation's capital when the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2015 and declining an invitation when the team won again in 2017, reportedly spending time with an ill family member.
“I am incredibly pleased and excited that our team will be honored at the White House today. I thank the President for hosting this honorable ceremony and for supporting our team for as long as I can remember. In light of recent events, and for personal family reasons, I am unable to attend today's ceremony,” he said in a statement.
9. Elton John
Ahead of President Donald Trump's inauguration, the White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci He claimed Elton John Elton accepted the invitation to perform at the event. A representative for Elton, who has long maintained that he does not support Donald's presidency, quickly “categorically denied” the reports.
“There is absolutely no truth to this,” his representative told BBC News.
10. Rebecca Ferguson
Singer Rebecca Ferguson ( Sand Dunes Actress John McGregor said he was also asked to perform at President Donald Trump's inauguration, and initially accepted on the condition that he could sing “Strange Fruit,” a controversial but historically significant Billie Holiday song that he describes as “a song that speaks to every black person in America who is ignored and oppressed. A song that reminds us that love is the only thing that can overcome the hate in this world.”
A week later, Rebecca revealed that she would not be performing at the inauguration, saying she was not happy with the song that was chosen to replace her.
“I am so blessed to have been blessed with the talent that has given me such amazing opportunities, but as a mother and an artist, I have had to stand my ground,” Rebecca said in a statement. “I wanted to sing 'Strange Fruit' because I felt it was the only song that would not compromise my artistic integrity. Also, while I have deep love for all people, I have a special empathy for African Americans and the #blacklivesmatter movement. I wanted to create a moment for people to pause and reflect.”
11. Michael Jordan
When the Chicago Bulls won their first NBA title in 1991, Michael Jordan He did not attend the White House gala with then-President George H. W. Bush. At the time, Michael was said to be on a long-planned family vacation, but was hesitant to answer questions about his absence.
“It's none of your business. If you ask me what I did, I don't have to tell you,” he told reporters. “When the team came to us about going to the White House, I already had plans in place, and I didn't feel it was fair to change my plans at that particular time. I didn't mean to disrespect anyone, but George Bush “It's exactly the same as before. I don't think it's changed since the last time I saw him, but the last time was when he was vice president… How can you be disrespectful to the president when he chooses to spend time with his family? The president should understand that. He has a family.”
It was later revealed that Michael was playing golf with James “Slim” Buhler at the time of the incident.
12. Stormy Daniels
Stormy Daniels She has a complicated relationship with Donald Trump, but she has actually been invited to the White House, according to her lawyer. Michael AvenattiShe reportedly received multiple invitations from media outlets to attend the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in 2018. She declined the invitations.
