News | Entertainment
21 Jan 2026 23:08
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Nelly has defended his decision to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration, calling it's "an honour"

    The 'Dilemma' hitmaker will perform alongside Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Village People, and Jason Aldean at the Capitol in Washington D.C. on Monday (20.01.25) as the Republican is sworn in for his second presidency


    After facing a backlash for supporting the controversial politician, the 50-year-old rapper told Geto Boys' Willie D on YouTube: "I didn't know that I had to agree with your political choices. If you follow what I do, this shouldn't even be an argument. He is the president. He won.

    He's the president. He's the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world."

    The 'Ride Wit Me' star insists he never accepted the gig for the money and it's not about "politics".

    Nelly continued: "I'm not doing this for money. I'm doing this because it's an honour. I respect the office. It don't matter who is in office. The same way our brothers and sisters go to war to put their life on the line for whoever is in office. So, if they can put their life on the line for whoever is in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever is in office."

    After previously trying to get Trump to stop using their hit 'Y.M.C.A.' at his rallies, Village People are taking part in "at least one event" celebrating the inauguration.

    In a statement, the disco band said: "We are announcing today that VILLAGE PEOPLE have accepted an invitation from President Elect Trump's campaign to participate in inaugural activities, including at least one event with President Elect Trump."

    Defending the decision, they added: "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. 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."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     21 Jan: Kourtney Kardashian is three years sober
     21 Jan: Wayne Rooney has claimed he's "deaf in my left ear"
     21 Jan: Ansel Elgort has quietly become a father
     21 Jan: Finn Wolfhard used his SNL hosting debut to poke fun at the fact that he and his co-stars are still often viewed as "the kids from Stranger Things"
     21 Jan: Sophie Turner admits that her acting career "stalled" because she had children at an early age
     21 Jan: Golda Rosheuvel based her Bridgerton character on her late mother
     21 Jan: Hayden Panettiere found writing her memoir to be a "therapeutic experience"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Black Sticks women are vowing to capitalize on preparation time before August's hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Pic's Peanut Butter is boasting huge financial success, with sales reaching 40-million dollars More...



     Today's News

    Hockey:
    The Black Sticks women are vowing to capitalize on preparation time before August's hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Kourtney Kardashian is three years sober 21:40

    Law and Order:
    A person's suffered serious injuries after an assault in Auckland's Mount Wellington 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Wayne Rooney has claimed he's "deaf in my left ear" 21:10

    International:
    Have you been gifted an ancestry DNA test? The results could be 'life-altering' 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Ansel Elgort has quietly become a father 20:40

    National:
    Rob Hirst was not the figurehead of Midnight Oil – but he was its backbone 20:17

    Entertainment:
    Finn Wolfhard used his SNL hosting debut to poke fun at the fact that he and his co-stars are still often viewed as "the kids from Stranger Things" 20:10

    National:
    As Trump’s threats over Greenland escalate, will Europe use its ‘trade bazooka’? 20:07

    Entertainment:
    Sophie Turner admits that her acting career "stalled" because she had children at an early age 19:40


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd