Village People, Carrie Underwood to Perform at Trump Inauguration

Carrie Underwood performs at Times Square on New Year's Eve in New York City, US, December 31, 2024. (Reuters)
Carrie Underwood performs at Times Square on New Year's Eve in New York City, US, December 31, 2024. (Reuters)
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Village People, Carrie Underwood to Perform at Trump Inauguration

Carrie Underwood performs at Times Square on New Year's Eve in New York City, US, December 31, 2024. (Reuters)
Carrie Underwood performs at Times Square on New Year's Eve in New York City, US, December 31, 2024. (Reuters)

The Village People -- the group behind "Y.M.C.A," a staple of Donald Trump's rallies -- said Monday they have accepted an invitation from the president-elect to perform at events connected to next week's inauguration.

Singer Victor Willis said in a statement on Facebook the Village People would "participate in inaugural activities, including at least one event with President Elect Trump."

"We know this won't make some of you happy to hear, however, we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics," Willis continued.

"Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost.

"Therefore, we believe it's now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J. Trump."

Trump's campaigns have frequently played the 1970s-era hit at rallies during his multiple bids for office, with the Republican often dancing onstage to it.

Also on Monday, famed country singer Carrie Underwood said she had accepted an invitation to perform during the inauguration slated for January 20.

"I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event," Underwood said in a statement.

"I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future."

The 41-year-old is scheduled to sing "America the Beautiful," according to a schedule released by the Trump team.

Historically the president-elect has had a rocky relationship with most figures in the entertainment world, many of whom have admonished him for playing their music at his rallies -- including, at times, the Village People.

During his first term several artists threatened to boycott their own induction ceremonies into the prestigious Kennedy Center pantheon if Trump attended those gala -- which he ultimately never did.



Jennifer Lopez Identifies with Real-Life Mom in ‘Unstoppable’ Film

Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)
Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)
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Jennifer Lopez Identifies with Real-Life Mom in ‘Unstoppable’ Film

Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)
Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)

Jennifer Lopez found herself in tears as the real-life mom Judy Robles, whom she portrayed in the sports drama film "Unstoppable", showered her with compliments for her performance.

The two real-life mothers formed a special bond while working in tandem to take Lopez's role to the next level and connected on how mothers inevitably make mistakes.

"I don't know of a human being who doesn't make mistakes," Lopez said.

"But for moms, it really is a thing where you're always putting up the front of, like, 'everything's perfect,' 'everything's OK,' to protect your children, to give them safety," she added.

For Lopez, women, especially moms, have so much going on behind the scenes, which is a belief that helped her performance.

"Unstoppable," distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, had a limited theatrical US release on Dec. 6 and will be available for streaming on Prime Video on Jan. 16.

The American biographical sports drama film, directed by William Goldenberg, follows wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, and joins the Arizona State University wrestling team as a walk-on, eventually earning a spot on the team and making a name for himself.

His mother must find ways to not only advocate for her son, but also for herself.

Goldenberg aimed to add authenticity to the film by having the real-life Robles serve as the body double of the "Moonlight" actor Jharrel Jerome, who portrays Anthony.

Jerome said he became a changed man after working so closely with Anthony Robles.

"You hear actors say it all the time, I learned something, I learned something, but this truly shaped me and changed me as a growing person, as a growing man, all the way down to my physicality, how I move, my posture, my gym routine," Jerome said.

He and his mother being so close to the production made things feel especially nostalgic for Anthony Robles.

"I feel like I go through the roller coaster of emotions all over again and I'm just traveling back in time, just watching the film and especially when I'm sitting next to my mom, because there are certain moments where she's gripping my arm in the audience," Anthony Robles said.

"It's painful for us to relive those moments. But also, there's other moments she's grabbed my arm again, just happy moments. And so that's something special for us," Robles added.