British pop singer Rebecca Ferguson says she has been invited to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration, but her response may not be the RSVP the President-elect’s team were expecting.
The former UK X-Factor runner-up said she would only accept the invitation on the condition that she could perform “Strange Fruit” — a song protesting racism in 1930s America, made famous by Billie Holiday.
In a statement posted to the singer’s Twitter account on Monday night Ferguson said: “I’ve been asked and this is my answer. If you allow me to sing “strange fruit” a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial. A song that speaks to all the disregarded and down trodden black people in the United States. A song that is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world, then I will graciously accept your invitation and see you in Washington. Best Rebecca X”