Vanilla Ice defends performing at America’s 250th birthday celebration
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Vanilla Ice is once again defending his decision to perform at the Great American State Fair’s Freedom 250 concert to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
Appearing on “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” the 58-year-old rapper told the host why he chose not to withdraw from the performance: “I don’t like anyone telling me I can’t be proud of my country.”
“I was born here. I grew up here. I’m proud of it. I represent it everywhere I go. I carry the American Flag everywhere I go. It’s a shame that it falls this way. I don’t think it’s fair for us to be pressured like that as musicians, but it’s a shame. It’s a shame that we can’t be proud.”
He stated that he did not understand why this had become such an issue with fans and artists, adding that he was “honored to do this once in a lifetime” and that “this is still the greatest country in the world.”
Vanilla Ice defends Freedom 250’s decision to perform at the Great American State Fair. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
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“I’m proud of it, I love it, and I’m really proud of all our soldiers,” he said. “These men risked their lives, some even lost their lives, and you have to respect that. This is our country, man. I can’t believe people are making such a big deal about this.”
The rapper first shared his excitement about performing at the celebration in a video posted on Instagram last week; He said he was “honoured” to perform at the event and promised to “bring back the ’90s”.
“It’s all about enjoying 250 years of great times. From George Washington to today. All the presidents and everyone in between, this is a magical event that’s going to happen,” he said in the video. “It’s so rare. I’m honored, man. This is going to be epic. That’s it. We don’t take anything too seriously and we’re going to bring it to the ’90s, that’s how it goes.”
In the statement, he promised that the concert would “bring us all together” as well as being an “epic party” and said, “We are all one. This is not a political platform. This is celebrating America’s birthday.”
Despite the wave of criticism, Vanilla Ice is not backing down from his commitment to perform at America 250’s Great American State Fair. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
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The post was met with a lot of criticism; many called his decision “disappointing” because they oppose the current administration led by President Donald Trump. Others wrote in her defense, writing: “I have great respect for not dropping out like the others!!
After the original lineup for the Great American State Fair was announced on May 29, many artists who attended the concert announced they were stepping back, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, the Commodores and Morris Day.
Vanilla Ice doubled down on his decision to skip the concert, saying both in Instagram comments and in an interview with Fox News Digital on Monday, “It’s such a great thing to celebrate your country and enjoy your birthday.”
The rapper and singer said, “I’m stronger. I’m here. I’m determined. Once you commit, you don’t give up, man. That’s how I am.” “I’m so honored, man, my mom is so proud of me and everyone else.”
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Vanilla Ice is “honored” to play the Great American State Fair to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. (Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
“And it’s not fair for people to drag this into politics,” he continued. “It’s definitely not fair to us as entertainers. And I don’t think it should be seen as political or anything.”
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