Milli Vanilli Name Confusion Hits Trump Mall Concerts
Confusion over the use of the Milli Vanilli name has added to a growing public relations mess surrounding the Great American State Fair concert series, a run of summer shows tied to pro-Trump branding that is scheduled for late June and early July on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall.
The Daily Beast reported that Jodie Rocco, one of the original studio vocalists behind Milli Vanilli, said neither she nor her twin sister Linda Rocco—and no other members connected to the act’s recorded vocals—had been asked to perform, adding that they were “shocked” to see “Milli Vanilli” listed as a performer.
The situation appears separate from the involvement of Fab Morvan, the surviving frontman of the pop duo, who said he will perform at the MAGA-linked event and framed his appearance as an effort to “entertain and unite people, not divide them.” Morvan also said he looked forward to finally singing Milli Vanilli songs live in person.
The wider festival lineup has also faced turbulence, with several artists distancing themselves after the announcement. Martina McBride said she believed she was agreeing to a nonpartisan engagement but later felt that description was misleading as details changed. The Commodores likewise stated they do not publicly affiliate with a single political party, while other performers posted online that they were dropping out after learning of political associations.
The Great American State Fair is currently scheduled to run from June 25 through July 10, and the controversy highlights how quickly a high-profile booking can unravel when artists and audiences view an event as politically charged.
