Nicole Scherzinger’s Apparent Trump Support Raises Justified Questions
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
The recent revelation that Nicole Scherzinger is apparently a supporter of Donald Trump has sparked controversy within the Broadway community. Scherzinger is currently starring in the major Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard, and her political alignment has stirred conversations about what that means for her castmates, the show, and the wider Broadway audience.
Yesterday, it was discovered that Scherzinger had supported and “liked” posts that both implied right-wing support and a direct endorsement of Donald Trump.
The first was a comment she left under Russell Brand’s post holding a “Make Jesus First Again” after Trump had been reelected.
In a now-deleted comment, Scherzinger enthusiastically asked, ‘Where can I get this hat!?’”
While there isn’t any direct support of MAGA or Trump in that post, a second image was sent to me that was much more direct.
Scherzinger liked an image posted by Robert F Kennedy where he directly supports and encourages folks to vote for Donald Trump.
And while she hasn’t come out publicly to say if she voted for Trump or not, the evidence seems to be leaning toward which way she filled out her ballot.
Now, it’s important to know that Scherzinger is a famously religious person. She’s talked many times about her Catholic faith and how that’s impacted her career. She almost turned down the role of Penny in the TV remake of Dirty Dancing due to her character’s decision to get an abortion.
And to be clear, I respect everyone’s religious faith and their freedom to practice it. As long as they don’t use their beliefs to inflict pain and suffering on others, there are no issues with me. I also believe that if someone wants to keep their political thoughts private, that’s fine too.
And that’s where the issues and questions begin for me. Because Scherzinger publicly did things on social media to imply political support, and the Trump administration very much wants to use religious doctrine to justify inflicting irreparable harm on others.
For Scherzinger’s castmates and colleagues at Sunset Boulevard, many of whom may be people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, or immigrants—groups that have been directly affected by Trump’s former policies and policies he plans on delivering in his new term—working alongside someone who supports a figure synonymous with hate speech and discrimination is incredibly challenging.
Let’s take the issue of Transgender rights and identity. The Trump campaign spent $19 million in anti-trans TV ads in battleground states. “Kamala is for they/them," one ad says. "Trump is for you."
Trump has said he will ask Congress to pass a bill establishing that “only two genders,” as determined at birth, are recognized by the United States.
So when the LGBTQ+ population in the cast, crew, and St James Theatre see that Nicole Scherzinger has no problem supporting a candidate that is directly targeting them, how is that supposed to go over?
Or for the women involved in the show where the Trump administration has promised to alter their freedoms?
There is no better example of “Let them Eat Cake” than Nicole expecting hair and makeup teams to make her look great or castmates to highlight her performance and then support a President who plans on destroying their lives.
While it is crucial to allow space for differing political views, it's equally important to acknowledge the impact those views can have on vulnerable communities. Scherzinger's seeming support of Trump isn’t just a political stance; for many, it represents a betrayal of the very values that make the Broadway community a safe haven for those who have felt marginalized elsewhere.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Nicole Scherzinger’s political beliefs serves as a moment of reckoning for Broadway. It challenges the industry to reflect on its values and the impact of those it elevates to the stage. As audiences and artists alike grapple with this new reality, it becomes clear that the intersection of politics and art is not something that can be ignored. Whether the Broadway community will continue to uphold its progressive ideals in the face of differing political beliefs remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation is far from over.
According to sources, the mood backstage at Sunset Boulevard is very awkward. I hope there will be conversations with Nicole about this where folks can tell her what her support of Trump and his upcoming term will mean for them. And I hope Nicole is open to having those conversations.
If not, it’s going to be a bumpy road for the rest of the run.