Arts & Entertainment
Jennifer Holliday apologizes to LGBT community, cancels inauguration performance
the singer says she had a ‘lapse of judgement’

(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Jennifer Holliday will no longer perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration concert, The Wrap reports.
Holliday, 56, wrote an open letter to her fans calling her agreement to perform, “a lapse of judgment,” and apologized specifically to the LGBT community.
“My only choice must now be to stand with the LGBT Community and to state unequivocally that I WILL NOT PERFORM FOR THE WELCOME CONCERT OR FOR ANY OF THE INAUGURATION FESTIVITIES!” Holliday writes.
The Tony winner says that she reevaluated her decision to perform after reading an article from The Daily Beast criticizing the longtime LGBT ally.
“Please know that I HEAR YOU and I feel your pain. The LGBT Community was mostly responsible for birthing my career and I am deeply indebted to you. You have loved me faithfully and unconditionally and for so many years you provided me with work even though my star had long since faded,” the letter continues.
On Sunday, Holliday appeared on MSNBC’s “AM Joy” and claims the African American community attacked her for performing.
“They were calling me coon, calling me house n***er, calling me Aunt Jemima, calling me all kinds of names and asking me to kill myself. And that was from the black community,” Holliday says.
She says that the LGBT community’s response was much different.
“All the tweets that I read from the African American community were directed directly at me. The tweets from the gay community took the issues and did not call me names. Also they have been a faithful community since ‘Dreamgirls’ to me, and fed me even when the church people didn’t feed me,” Holliday says.
“Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration,” Trump’s inauguration concert, will take place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on June 19. 3 Doors Down, Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood are scheduled to perform. Actor Jon Voight will also make an appearance.
Sports
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Games to take place next month in Italy
“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.
HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.
The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.
Bars & Parties
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance
Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.
Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.
The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.
