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Home / Entertainment

Andrea Bocelli backs away from Donald Trump inauguration after 'too much heat' from fans

By Alice Vincent
Daily Telegraph UK·
21 Dec, 2016 03:00 AM2 mins to read

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Singer Andrea Bocelli performs with The Philharmonic of New York at Madison Square Garden. Photo / AP

Singer Andrea Bocelli performs with The Philharmonic of New York at Madison Square Garden. Photo / AP

President-elect Donald Trump has just gained a new opening in his inauguration ceremony line-up after Andrea Bocelli stepped down from performing.

The Italian tenor was reportedly courted by Trump in person last week after performing at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The President-elect is a huge fan of the tenor, having booked him to perform at a private party at his club in Florida in 2010 before attending a Bocelli concert with his family a year later.

However, although Bocelli neither confirmed nor denied that he would be performing at the ceremony, the news of Trump's approach was enough to inspire backlash among the singer's fans, who expressed their disappointment at the prospect of him performing for Trump on social media.

After hearing that @AndreaBocelli will be playing for @realDonaldTrump, I'm out. I'm also out $400. WORTH IT. Stand up and #boycottbocelli.

— Paige Towers (@paige_towers) December 14, 2016
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How many fans does @AndreaBocelli have in red states?Blue states? If he performs at the traitor's inauguration I'll have to #BoycottBocelli

— Camilla Bijoux (@camila_bijoux) December 17, 2016

.@AndreaBocelli I love your voice, but will feel obligated to join #BoycottBocelli if you sing at Trump's coronation.😢 Please don't.🙏🙇

— SaveUS(A) (@care4democracy) December 17, 2016

Page Six, the gossip column of the New York Post, reported on Tuesday evening that Bocelli would no longer be performing at the White House ceremony.

A source told them: "Bocelli said there was no way he'd take the gig . . . he was 'getting too much heat' and he said no."

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However, the US publication also suggested that the President-elect had grown wary in light of the derision from fans: "Trump suggested to Bocelli he not participate because of the backlash. It's sad people on the left kept him from performing on a historic day."

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Little official information has emerged about Trump's ceremony. While President Obama enjoyed a star-studded affair, which notably included Beyoncé lip-syncing to the US national anthem, Trump's staff have confirmed that a runner-up from America's Got Talent, Jackie Evancho, will be performing.

Honored to have @jackieevancho performing the National Anthem at the @TrumpInaugural Ceremony. She's an inspiration for all Americans! #MAGA

— Boris Epshteyn (@BorisEP) December 14, 2016

This article was originally published by The Telegraph.

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