Chrisette Michele, who faced backlash after singing at Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017, is now opening up about the incident and wondering why Kanye West didn't face the same consequences despite his association with the 45th president.
The topic resurfaced after West released his album, DONDA, on Aug. 29. Michele's fans went to social media after the album's release and wondered why the rapper is still getting support after he wore a MAGA hat during a visit to the White House and declared that slavery was "a choice.” They also questioned why Michele isn't getting the same amount of love.
"Since our culture is so hyped about Kanye West’s #Donda album; it’s time to UNcancel @ChrisetteM! I hated her singing at 45’s inauguration… But #ChrisetteMichele never disrespected our history/ancestors; didn’t rock a MAGA hat; & never ran a covert campaign to sway an election!" TV host Jawn Murray tweeted.
Since our culture is so hyped about Kanye West’s #Donda album; it’s time to UNcancel @ChrisetteM!
I hated her singing at 45’s inauguration… But #ChrisetteMichele never disrespected our history/ancestors; didn’t rock a MAGA hat; & never ran a covert campaign to sway an election!
— Jawn Murray (@JawnMurray) August 30, 2021
There were many more who advocated for the “Unbreakable” singer. "I never stopped loving her, listening to her and supporting her…it was a job, she was trying to get a bag and its people out here doing worst things to get a bag then singing for a crazy carrot..but Yes!! We need her back in the game," @justAtkins31 tweeted.
I never stopped loving her, listening to her and supporting her…it was a job, she was trying to get a bag and its people out here doing worst things to get a bag then singing for a crazy carrot..but Yes!! We need her back in the game.
— LAtkins (@justAtkins31) September 1, 2021
Others also said Michele deserves an apology. "She is owed quite a few apologies from some of her peers in the music business," Eddie Luther Kane Jr. tweeted.
She is owed quite a few apologies from some of her peers in the music business
— Eddie Luther Kane Jr. (@woods_pj) August 31, 2021
On Tuesday, the 38-year-old responded to the discussion on Instagram.
“Should Chrisette Michele be Un-Cancelled? I always wonder how to respond to this question," the artist said in response to her fans.
She also said the question has come up often in the past five years and it's the reason why she stopped doing interviews. The singer then continued to describe the experience of constantly being compared to West and gospel singer Travis Greene, who performed with Michele at Trump’s 2017 Inaugural Ball, according to Vibe.
"Being compared to Kanye & Travis for the last 5 years. Watching them soar into the highest realms of stardom. Waiting on Gods hand to show me exactly what my story will look like," Michele wrote. "I’ve made a choice to stay full of gratitude and master peace, but today, this post has inspired me to allow the energy of comparison to enter my feed."
While acknowledging that most of the comments are well intended, the musician said she "is not really attached to the results of the conversation."
"Kanye endorsed him, Travis sang with me, and time unfolded," the artist wrote. "What do YOU think history has proven in this tale? What did you think 5 years ago? What do you think today? Would you release new music if you were me? What would you sing about? Who would you sing to? Why? What does my role as FEMALE play in this story? What about my role as Christian? How about my role as it compares to Kanye & Travis?"
Michele considered quitting singing at one point, according to Vibe, as she was facing backlash. But fans are now requesting new music from her. They also called for a Chrisette Michele Appreciation Day.
As Blavity previously reported, the R&B artist also responded to the criticism earlier this year when she sat down for an interview with singer-songwriter Terrell Grice.
Michele said performing at the inauguration was the wrong thing to do. But she doesn't regret the decision.
"I learned a lot,” she said. “I learned a lot about myself, I learned a lot about my fears, my insecurities. I didn’t know I was that insecure until I was rejected.”
The musician added that she ultimately found God's love after being canceled.
“For everyone who’s ever felt misunderstood, I just got to be a mirror of their experience,” she said. “Hopefully my recovery showed people that there’s evolution and you get to come back and do it again, by the grace of God."
Michele has previously tried to explain her reason for performing for Trump. At the time, the singer believed that her performance would serve as a bridge during a time when the country was severely divided.
