![\"Renee](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/OCGZGP3ZZBEHZM6EYBOJZBBLZQ.jpg\")
Renee Fleming performs on stage during the “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial” on January 18, 2009 at the National Mall. Justin Sullivan\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
Fleming was among the \u201cWe Are One\u201d performers at former President Barack Obama\u2019s inauguration in 2009. She performed along with Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, and Garth Brooks, among others.<\/p>\n
She was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Obama during a White House East Room ceremony in 2013. <\/p>\n
![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/B76DIIQPHBBSJN4B7HPXBIZFIY.jpg\")
Former President Barack Obama presents a 2012 National Medal of Arts to Renee Fleming for her contributions to American music. Pete Marovich\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
Obama said at the time that Fleming was \u201cthe people\u2019s diva\u201d and said she has \u201ccaptivated audiences around the world with an adventurous repertoire spanning opera and the classical tradition to jazz and contemporary pop.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pennsylvania-born artist resigned as Artistic Advisor at Large to the Center last year in protest of Trump\u2019s purge of existing leadership and the installation of his own board of close allies, which includes White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and second lady Usha Vance.<\/p>\n
![\"resident](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/VAMUM7FTY5F25LJS5RT6R34UKY.jpg\")
The John F. Kennedy Center’s new board now includes MAGA figures like Susie Wiles, Usha Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino. President Donald Trump appointed himself as chair. JIM WATSON\/Jim Watson\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n
Fleming was slated to appear alongside conductor James Gaffigan and the National Symphony Orchestra for two performances in May. <\/p>\n
The center did not respond to a request for comment, but claimed on its website that the cancellations were due to \u201ca scheduling conflict.\u201d <\/p>\n
It vowed to find a replacement for Fleming, who has been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards and has won five. Her most recent Grammy was awarded to her in February 2023. <\/p>\n
\u201cA new soloist and repertoire will be announced at a later date, and the remainder of the program remains unchanged,\u201d the Kennedy Center wrote.<\/p>\n
Others to pull out of events at the Kennedy Center, which the president tries to call the \u201cTrump-Kennedy Center\u201d despite such a change not being approved by Congress<\/a>, include Lin-Manuel Miranda, who called off a revival of Hamilton originally scheduled for this spring. <\/p>\n Others to cancel shows include Bela Fleck, Issa Rae, and the Philadelphia rock band Low Cut Connie. Even the Washington National Opera, which performed at the Kennedy Center several times a year since 1971, severed its collaboration with the venue in MAGA 2.0.<\/p>\n Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, 75, an ex officio trustee of the Kennedy Center, has sued the Trump administration in an attempt to force the removal of his name from the performing arts venue\u2019s facade.<\/p>\n \u201cThis entire process has been a complete disgrace to this cherished institution and the people it serves,\u201d Beatty said in a statement. \u201cThese unlawful actions must be blocked before any further damage is done.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Trump-Kennedy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7MBSBMYELZD33LL2G5HNKN5NTE.jpg\")
President Donald Trump shamelessly slapped his own name on the Kennedy Center in December. Celal Gunes\/Anadolu via Getty Images <\/p>\n