A day after announcing its lineup of performers, the Great American State Fair has turned into a booking disaster.
The Trump-friendly music shows scheduled for June and July on Washington’s National Mall had two acts back out after the performers were announced on Wednesday.
However, confusion around the inclusion of Milli Vanilli on the line-up was cleared up on Thursday.
Singer Jodie Rocco, one of the original studio vocalists behind Milli Vanilli with her twin sister Linda Rocco, told the AP neither she nor any other member had been asked to perform.
“My sister and I were shocked to see our name, ‘Milli Vanilli,’ as one of the performers,” Rocco wrote to the outlet in an email. The Rocco sisters were among several real vocalists who sang the songs the public was led to believe were sung by the group’s public faces, Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus.
Pilatus died of an accidental drug overdose in 1998, leaving Morvan as the group’s only living frontman.
Morvan, who now sings live in concert, clarified on Thursday that he will be performing at the MAGA-affiliated event. His face had been used on posters to promote the run of shows.
“I am here to entertain and unite people, not divide them,” Morvan said in a statement to Consequence. “Let’s celebrate life & music and take a trip down memory lane. I feel honored to be a part of the Great American State Fair as it will celebrate the 250 Year Anniversary of America with so many other accomplished artists.”
Morvan said he looked forward to being able to “finally sing Milli Vanilli songs live in person!”
The Daily Beast has reached out to both Morvan and Freedom 250, the organization behind the music festival, for comment.
Freedom 250, which is headed by Trump’s appointee CEO and his first-term Secretary of State, Keith Krach, describes itself as “a national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of our Nation’s 250th birthday,” according to a spokesperson.
On Wednesday, the organization announced Martina McBride, Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, The Commodores, Bret Michaels, Milli Vanilli, Young MC, and C+C Music Factory would perform at the events. McBride and The Commodores announced on Thursday that they had pulled out of the shows.
McBride said in a statement, “I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”
She added, “Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”
The Commodores posted on their social media, “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”
Singer Morris Day declared on social media on Wednesday, “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at the ‘GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR.” Rapper Young MC, known for his 1989 hit “Bust a Move,” wrote in a statement on social media that he would be dropping out: “The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event. And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed.”
He added, “I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”
A representative for Vanilla Ice told the AP that the rapper is “proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!” and that “Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate USA’s Birthday and our Freedom!”
Krach said in a statement announcing the lineup on Wednesday that the Great American State Fair “will bring together people from all 56 states and territories to celebrate the traditions, innovation, music, military heritage, freedom, and entrepreneurial spirit that define our nation.” He added that the acts chosen “represent the very best of who we are, and the boundless opportunity ahead.”
The Great American State Fair is scheduled for June 25 through July 10.
