[caption id="attachment_744494" align="aligncenter" width="1068"]<a href="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RadioCityRockettes.jpg"><img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RadioCityRockettes.jpg" width="1068" height="600" class="wp-image-744494 size-full" /></a> Photo Credit: Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com[/caption]
On Thursday (Dec. 22), President-elect Donald Trump's administration announced that the Radio City Rockettes would perform at his upcoming inauguration on January 20th. However, it was only soon after Rockette Phoebe Pearl took to social media to air out her true feelings about the news, voicing pure disappointment that she was being forced to perform by her union.
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Pearl wrote, "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."
<a href="http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Update-Rockettes-Union-Calls-Boycotting-Inauguration-Invalid-20161223">According to <i>Broadway World</i></a>, the Rockettes' union, American Guild of Variety Artists, sent an email to dancers informing them that full-time employees are "obligated" to perform at the inauguration despite the dancers' political beliefs. “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,” wrote an administrator from the American Guild of Variety Artists.
"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," the AGVA wrote in their email. "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."
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