A secret audio recording captured some of the tension between members of the Radio City Rockettes and their employer, Madison Square Garden, over a plan to have them dance at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The recording, leaked to Marie Claire magazine, was made at a private Dec. 27 meeting between MSG Chairman James Dolan and performers in the dance group.
The meeting came days after one dancer posted on Instagram that she was “embarrassed” by the gig, which in turn touched off a social media kerfuffle, with Trump opponents calling on the Rockettes to boycott the event and Trump supporters saying the dancers should keep their politics to themselves.
During the meeting, Dolan told the dancers that performing at the inauguration was an opportunity, saying it was “a huge moment in the country’s history.”
He continued, “We are an American brand, and I think it’s very appropriate that the Rockettes dance in the inaugural and Fourth of July and our country’s great historical moments.”
One dancer complained about the social media backlash, calling it “unbearable.”
“I think that the Rockettes have always been apolitical, and now by performing at this particular inauguration, it’s making us political,” she said.
Dolan said he was confident the performance wouldn’t hurt the Rockettes’ brand. He also reminded the dancers that many people who come to New York to see the Rockettes perform voted for Trump.
“I find it a little ironic. I get all of these emails, too, from people saying, ‘Don’t perform for this hateful person.’ And then they proceed to spew out this diatribe of hate,” he said.
One dancer said: “It just sounds like you’re asking us to be tolerant of intolerance.”
“Yeah, in a way, I guess we are doing that,” Dolan said. “What other choices do we have? What else would you suggest?”
After the Marie Claire article was published Tuesday, MSG released a statement saying Dolan stood by his comments. The company also attacked the unidentified person who made the recording, saying she had been “deceitful and cowardly” and violated the confidentiality “of all of her sister Rockettes.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
This is what happens when you deal with haters got to have it there way an nobody else’s we have live under democrap hate for to long they need get down on there knees an ask for forgiveness from God an all people an change there ways
There’s the right way, the wrong way, and the Democratic way of opposing anything that contradicts their socialistic ways.
I am proud and excited about our President-elect. Finally, someone who cares and loves our country (USA) have not felt that in a long time. Thank you, Father God for President Trump, he may not be perfect but he cares and loves this awesome America. So do I, the best place to be in this world.
Yeah, now we have a President that is going to FIGHT ALL the aholes that want to KILL us.He especially wants to raise the standard of living for average people in this Country. The past 8 years we have not had that.
It always amazes me how mean spirited people can be. The news guys are attempting to write the FUTURE, trump isn’t even sworn in yet abd he has come thru 100 per cent re manufacturers staying in the U.S. ,he has calked so Manny issues abd us proven to be correct. Why nit relax, sit back, enjoy the ride cause uts goibg ti be a good one abd after a year start yiur bitching ir yiur praise because you have changed your mind at alk the suceases trump brings to us. Right niw, just be quiet. It’s all noise. He us our president and that’s that. Thank you
WE’VE BECOME A COUNTRY OF WHINING CRYBABIES. LOOK AT THAT SOW ROSIE O’DONNELL AND OINKER MICHAEL MOORE (NEITHER OF WHOM APPARENTLY WENT WITH MICHELLE OBAMA’S DIET). IN ANY EVENT, TRUMP, JUST DUMP THEM, WHO WANTS THAT CRAP MESSING UP THE FUN
WELL SAID RT44, SHARON, JOHN. We now see the result of our proggressive education sysem. When young teams play: Winners get trophys, losers also get rewarss, medals; not like real life:winners get rewards, losers get nothing. Why should any one think that Rosie or Michael are authorities on anything.?. The only time they are heard from is when they OPPOSE. But,our sick,BIASED MEDIA DILL PRINT ANYTHING OPPOSING PRESIDENT (ELECT9 TRUMP.
Two things, the first is I don’t recall Obama having to deal with this crap. Two they are performers, their job is to perform or find another job. Why is it that we as Americans have been putting up with all these double standards by the insane liberal left, knowing that if it were done to them they would be rioting in the streets. Can we please put an end to this PC BS?! If you don’t want to do the job you were hired for I am sure there are numerous others who would love your position.
The insane liberal left are nothing more than haters of America and her people and at every turn are trying to subvert our Constitution and our Bill of Rights, they are traitors to this nation and should be held accountable for their actions instead of being allowed to be the horrible rotten spoiled children that they are. A huge warehouse full of whoop ass is needed for these delusion excuses for human beings.
Yep the utter hypocrisy that IS the Democratic party is both hilarious and TRAGIC… TRAGIC BECAUSE… the rest of us are FORCED to tolerate the insanity!
WOW, just WOW! You are in the Entertainment Business! So close your pie holes and dance for your country. I don’t care if you receive millions of nasty e-mail,(which will not happen because President Trump won) your job is to dance. I’ve heard rumors of other entertainers turning down the invitation to perform and how sad is that?
To all those who said they were leaving the country, have they left yet? Ask our Counrty Western singers, you will get several as they know the DEPLORABLES, we are there fans. We have honor and pride in our Country and our Flag. We believe President Trump is OUR President without cheating or all the trashy Democratic ways. I was a Democrate, but no more! I’m a deplorable Republican and I can’t help but Thank God for Donald Trumps win.
Who in their right mind really cares if the Rockettes perform at Trump’s inauguration? If I just want to view sexy female legs I have many cable and Roku channels that do that-and more. And who really cares about the inaugural prayer? These are all entertainment packaging that goes along with the Main Event. I’m really interested in what Mr. Trump and the Congress do after the ceremony.
When will people act like mature, intelligent human beings. So, a dumb broad who is one of the Rockettes doesn’t want to perform at the inauguration of President Trump, no one will miss her and I am certainThe Rockettes dance as well—without her.
Hey, I am a former rapper perhaps I could fill in for her. Well, it was just a thought.????
Fire the girl that secretly recorded the video. You do not need disloyal dancers. Performing is the Rockets’ business. Not everyone will always like everyone in the audience. So what. You do not need girls like that in your employment.
I believe the Rockette’s have become a bunch of non professional dancer’s, I say cut them lose, who wants a bunch of un-professional’s little girls, at this great moment in history anyhow….Just go to you safe spaces & play with your play dough.