Rebecca Caroline Ferguson the British songwriter and singer who stood as the runner-up in the 7th series of The "X-Factor" 2010, has been invited to grace the swearing in ceremony of Donald Trump, as the 45th US President on 20th January, in Washington, the Telegraph reports.
Born on 21st July 1986, in Liverpool, UK, this 30-year-old singer disclosed that she would only perform at the ceremony if she is given permission to sing "Strange Fruit."
Invitations have been sent to many celebrities but it still is left to be seen who the big names are going to be? that will attend the ceremony.
Soulful composition of the 1930 era
"Strange Fruit" was a poem that was written by a Jewish Communist, Abel Meeropol and was recorded and performed by the Jazz singer Billie Holiday in 1939. It went on to become a controversial song and was blacklisted in the US for giving rise to feelings of unrest among the Americans.
The lyrics:
"Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees"
Created upheaval among the Black Americans and made them take it up as a civil rights anthem against the manner in which they were treated.
Celebrities avoid participating at the ceremony
Rebecca, who has already voiced Sam Cooke's civil rights anthem "A Change is Gonna Come” when she was an "X-Factor" contestant is all set to repeat history by laying down her condition to sing "Strange Fruit" concerning African-Americans at the most historical day of US political change.
In her Twitter account, Ms. Ferguson has mentioned that she would love to grace the inaugural ceremony of Mr. Trump if she is allowed to sing the song which clearly speaks to all downtrodden people and shares their misery. The song shows that love is the only thing that can conquer the world, not hatred.
President-Elect Trump's swearing in ceremony has failed to gather celebrities and the expected RSVP response from them, for reasons unknown. But on the Ms. Ferguson front, it remains to be seen whether her demand is accepted or if she will be sidelined from the ceremony. Speculation is running high.
