Rockette: Dancers Performing For Trump Will Be 'Branded In History As One Of Those Women'

The Gothamist ^ | December 27, 2016 | Rebecca Fishbein

[2ndDivisionVet]

Last week, it was announced that the Rockettes would be performing at Donald Trump's inauguration, with the group's union—the American Guild of Variety Artists—mandating the dancers show up to the gig or lose their jobs. After considerable public outcry, Rockettes' management claimed they would not be required to smile and dance at America's gateway to Gozer after all—but in an interview with Marie Claire, one Rockette says she and her fellow dancers are still terrified that there will be more fallout.

The Rockette, who wished to remain anonymous, told Marie Claire that though many of the women who declined to dance for Trump are freelancers, three full time dancers have declined to sign up for the inauguration performance, and at least one is concerned she might not be able to keep her position. "It will be interesting to see who doesn't get their job back," she told the magazine. "But do you really want to work for a company that supports this? I just don't know. It's become a moral issue at this point."

She also said the Rockettes are split over the performance. "There is a divide in the company now, which saddens me most," she said. "The majority of us said no immediately. Then there's the percentage that said yes, for whatever reason—whether it's because they're young and uninformed, or because they want the money, or because they think it's an opportunity to move up in the company when other people turn it down." She also noted that no women of color signed up to dance. "It's almost worse to have 18 pretty white girls behind this man who supports so many hate groups," she said. "They're going to be branded in history as one of those women," she said. "How's it going to look?"

She told Marie Claire that news of the Rockettes was sprung on them (she found out via text messages from friends), and that one dancer broke down in tears in front of her. "She felt she was being forced to perform for this monster," she said. She noted that not wanting to perform for Trump was "not a Republican or Democrat issue—this is a women's rights issue," and about "racism and sexism."

"It's the ensemble. It's the people in our wardrobe and hair department, some of whom are transgender," she says. "These are our friends and our family, who we've worked with for years. It's a basic human-rights issue. We have immigrants in the show. I feel like dancing for Trump would be disrespecting the men and women who work with us, the people we care about."

[Bullish]

The Rockettes are definitely D list at best And I can already hear all the pussy grabbing jokes. I think they should forget they ever invited them to perform.

[Clutch Martin]

Maybe there are few opportunists looking for some networking opportunities.

[KeyLargo]

So we are all the ‘Deplorables’.

Things are really looking up for change and the same will be for those performers.

Just more fake news.

[Bernard]

She might be holding out for the chorus line auditions for Hamilton. Or maybe she wants to be the union rep for the Rockettes.

In any event, this one person does know how to be dramatic.

[bgill]

Nameless? She told her name last week. Last name Pearl. Can’t remember first name.

Please, Mz. Pearl, tell us exactly what Trump has done to blacks.

[Bringbackthedraft]

It’s almost worse to have 18 pretty white girls behind this man who supports so many hate groups,...................... Really, and who are these ghost hate groups that you tell people about? Is the membership in these groups larger than 50 people nationwide? I wish there was a way we could ship these people who hate whites so much to places like NK, Zimbabwe or Venezuela. After the show, no one will really care who danced there or not, and your whining 15 minutes of fame will be over and forgotten.

[Bullish]

Anybody who even has a conservative thought in his head is now considered to be part of a hate group By the intolerant left.

Quite a masterful job of brainwashing our schools and our media have done.

[wild74]

After listening to this whining Trump should pay them not to come now

[Two Kids' Dad]

I couldn’t name one person that’s ever been a Rockette, nor one thing she’s ever done at a public function. And I couldn’t name a single B-list performer (or member of a B-list group) that’s ever performed at a presidential inauguration in the past.

Much ado about nothing.

[bgill]

Remembered her first name is Phoebe. Phoebe Pearl is not so nameless.

[bgill]

There are 80 Rockettes and only 18 will be performing. Wanna bet she wasn’t picked and that’s the real reason she’s all pissy? Mz. Phoebe Pearl (not so nameless) is pearl clutching for the AtTeNtIoN. When libs get slighted, they create drama to get attention.

[oust the louse]

“But if they’re going to start dictating who may watch them perform; who needs them?!”

BINGO...the little snowflakes can go try and get a real job....

[Boogieman]

“They’re going to be branded in history as one of those women,”

Get over yourself, honey. Nobody will ever remember you as an individual from this job, because every Rockette is just a replaceable set of legs.

[silverleaf]

I don’t get it either

It’s not Trump donors and voters who hang homosexuals, toss them off buildings and execute them in nightclubs, imprison women for not wearing hijab in public, forbid then to drive, stone and execute them for adultery and rape

It’s clear from wiki that the countries with those laws and individuals with those beliefs were solidly backing Clinton to the tune of mega millions

[digger48]

The media never even noticed that the father of the Pulse Nightclub shooter was sitting just 15 feet behind The Shrew just a couple weeks after he killed some 4 dozen gays.

[Covenantor]

Tip for the former Rockette.

You're just another pair of legs in a long kick line with an even longer line of long legged cuties ready, willing, and able to take your place in a heartbeat.

And let's face facts, your own mother couldn't identify you in the kick line unless you told, "Ma, I'm the fifth girl from the left."

What are the odds of you getting another job in a chorus/dance line? SJW is not at the top of the list of desired talents, probably not on the list at all. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of notoriety. Practice pole dancing.

[taildragger]

Seriously....

Their are tons of amateur dance studios with young women in their Senior Year of High School can do the whole kick quasi Rockette's speel.

Do you know many would consider it an honor and would give their front teeth to do it?

It is late in the game, but Trump friendly states in the South should be asked by Team Trump, fund raisers would make the travel happen and the rest would be history.

The Rockette's might realize their aren't the only game in town.

Yes I have been around the dance culture as well, I don't think I am off base here, thinking this is do-able.

[OrangeHoof]

The shame. Would she be “one of those women” if she danced for Billy Jeff’s inauguration?

[EDINVA]

No, they’re not uninformed;they’re misinformed.

[silverleaf]

Ladies, Of course we’ll still respect you if you dance for the Inauguration...

Now shut up and toss your legs over your shoulders