Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Winter Shoe Trends
    • Perfume Necklaces
    • Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams
    • Bouclé
    • Statement Red Socks
    • Angel Reese
    1. Politics

    The Rockettes Are Confirmed to Kick Off Donald Trump's 2017 Inaugural Celebration

    Alongside the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

    Morgan Evans's avatar
    By Morgan Evans
    Published 23 December 2016 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    The New York Radio City Rockettes
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Update 12:39 p.m.: Madison Square Garden Company has now released a statement stating that individual Rockettes are not "obligated" to perform.

    "The Radio City Rockettes are proud to participate in the 58th Presidential Inaugural," read the statement. "For a Rockette to be considered for an event, they must voluntarily sign up and are never told they have to perform at a particular event, including the inaugural. It is always their choice. In fact, for the coming inauguration, we had more Rockettes request to participate than we have slots available. We eagerly await the inaugural celebrations."

    Original story: President-elect Donald Trump will kick off his first year as president with The New York Radio City Rockettes at the Jan 20 Inauguration, where he will be officially sworn in as president of the United States.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    "We are honored that the Rockettes have again been asked to perform in the upcoming inauguration festivities," James L. Dolan, the executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company, owner of the Rockettes, told NBC News in a recent statement.

    The Rockettes performed in 2001 and 2005, for both inauguration celebrations for George W. Bush.

    You may like
    • Megan Thee Stallion poses for Marie Claire Megan Thee Stallion Is Performing at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
    • collage of celebrities at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Marie Claire Reacts to Every Can't-Miss Moment
    • Gigi Hadid walks the runway for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 on October 15, 2025 in New York City. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Is Days Away—Here's How to Watch for Free

    But not everyone is thrilled to be performing. In a now deleted Instagram post, Rockette Phoebe Pearl expressed her dismay to be performing for the inauguration. "I usually don't use social media to make a political stand but I feel overwhelmed with emotion. 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" she reportedly wrote, via The Hollywood Reporter. The Rockettes are allegedly obligated to perform per their union rules.

    In conjunction with the Rockettes, there is also slated to be a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The 360-member singing group made up of all volunteers has officially accepted the invitation to sing at the annual event. This will mark the sixth time that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has performed at the inaugural event, having sung for presidents such as Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, Richard M. Nixon in 1969, Ronald Reagan in 1981, and both Bush presidents.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Along with the Rockettes and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it was also announced this week that Jackie Evancho, the 16-year-old former America's Got Talent runner-up, will sing the national anthem at the ceremony.

    Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.

    Explore More
    Donald Trump
    Morgan Evans
    Morgan Evans
    Read more
    Gigi Hadid walks the runway for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 on October 15, 2025 in New York City.
    Culture The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Is Days Away—Here's How to Watch for Free This year's fashion extravaganza features Gigi Hadid, Ashley Graham, Megan Thee Stallion, Tate McRae, and more.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    collage of celebrities at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
    Fashion 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: Marie Claire Reacts to Every Can't-Miss Moment
    By Meguire Hennes
     
     
    Queen Maxima laughing in a white shirt next to Princess Alexia
    Royals Queen Maxima Secretly Dances at a DJ Set With Princess Alexia
    By Kristin Contino
    Taylor Swift Trades a Dior Gown and Chopard Jewels for a Sheer Ralph Lauren Dress at the Academy Museum Gala
    Celebrity Style Taylor Swift Trades Her Dior Gown for a Sheer Ralph Lauren Dress
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Latest in Politics
    Black-and-white portrait of Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams standing side by side and smiling at the camera.
    Politics Can Two Women Take the Toxic Masculinity Out of New York Politics?
    Elizabeth Holmes and Billy Evans walk together outdoors, with Holmes looking toward the camera.
    Movies Does Elizabeth Holmes’s Fiancé Want to Be Elizabeth Holmes?
     
     
    a split image of author elena dudum resting her head on her chin and the cover of her memoir they told me back home would be beautiful
    Books My Father Spent Years Collecting Proof That Palestine Existed. Then He Gave It All to Me
    Black-and-white photo of a person walking past a Cornell University stone sign, with their face obscured by a teal scribble.
    Politics What the Morning After a Sexual Assault On Campus Really Looks Like
     
     
    Latest in News
    Queen Camilla riding in a car and smiling with King Charles
    Royals Queen Camilla Reveals Her Favorite "Pure and Wholesome" Car Snack
    celebrities carrying the Coach Tabby Bag at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
    Celebrity Style The Coach Tabby Bag Is Red-Carpet Worthy, According to the CFDA Fashion Awards
     
     
    Harriet Sperling in her wedding dress and veil
    Royals Harriet Sperling Shares the Inspiration Behind Her "Dream" Wedding Dress
    Hailey Bieber wore a gold Saint Laurent Spring 2027 look on the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards red carpet
    Celebrity Style Hailey Bieber Should Save Her 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards Look for a Holiday Party
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.