Martina McBride Will No Longer Perform At Freedom 250 Concert, Says Event Was ‘Misleading’

Martina McBride will no longer be performing at Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair and has issued a statement to “clear the air” after facing backlash over her involvement in the event, explaining that what she was told about the show no longer aligned with what was actually taking place. 

On Wednesday, it was announced that McBride would join a lineup featuring Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels, and others as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The event, set to take place June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was announced by Freedom 250, an initiative reportedly created by the Interior Department to serve as the branding for the nation’s 250th celebrations. According to NBC News, Freedom 250 is a public-private partnership backed by President Donald Trump.

Now, McBride has officially withdrawn from the event.

The CMA Award-winning singer took to social media to explain her decision to step away from the lineup.

“I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading. I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states,” she wrote. “In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can. I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special. Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even. Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”

She continued, “I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one. It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC area very soon.”

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McBride isn’t the only artist to distance themselves from the event. Several other acts, including Morris Day & The Time, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, and The Commodores, have also removed themselves from the lineup.

“The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” Young MC wrote on social media. “I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”

The Commodores also shared a statement, writing, “our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”

Several artists showed support for Martina McBride’s decision in the comments section, including Sheryl Crow, who wrote, “Martina, you are a beautiful artist, mother, citizen, American. You have always been exactly as you are in this moment… authentic and real. So moved by you and proud to know you.”

Ashley McBryde, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Brittney Spencer, and others also applauded her decision.

This 16-day event will feature musical performances, a 100-foot Ferris wheel, special movie screenings, and more. According to the official event website, it is a celebration of “the triumph of the American Spirit.”  

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UPDATE: Bret Michaels has also dropped out of the event. “Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of…. Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”