Chrisette Michele Reflects On Being "Canceled" Over Trump: "Kanye Endorsed Him"

BY Erika Marie 3.6K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Paras Griffin / Stringer / Getty Images
Chrisette Michele
The R&B singer performed at Trump's inauguration and was vilified, and a debate about Kanye not being canceled has arisen.

A debate has been launched about Cancel Culture following Kanye West's Donda release. In recent years, West has made quite a few controversial remarks that have caused frustration. He has stated that enslaved people chose to stay in bondage for centuries, he claimed Harriet Tubman "never actually freed the slaves," he praised former President Donald Trump while wearing MAGA hats, he visited Trump at the White House and compared him to Superman, and he ran in the presidential election causing many to believe he was attempting to sway voters.

Still, Donda has broken records and West has raked in millions from the project, its release, its listening events, its merchandise sales, and much more, prompting a conversation about Chrisette Michele to be debated online. 

Years ago, fans were surprised to see the acclaimed R&B singer show face at Trump's inauguration where she was featured as a performer. Michele was vilified for attaching herself to the controversial world leader, and some have argued that she was "canceled" to such a degree that her career has not recovered.

This new discussion has caused Chrisette to come forward with her take on artists like West being welcomed with open arms while she continues to fight for her place in the public's forgiveness.

"Being compared to Kanye & Travis [Greene] 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," she penned. "I think most of the comments are well intended and I’m not really attached to the results of the conversation. But it is an interesting topic. Kanye endorsed him, Travis sang with me, and… time unfolded."

"Would you release new music if you were me? What would you sing about? Who would you sing to? Why?" she asked. "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?" Read through her response to the conversation in full below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.