10 celebs who turned down White House invitations for personal reasons: From Tom Brady to Dolly Parton

10 celebrities who turned down White House invitations

Being invited to an event at the White House in the nation's capital is often seen as a great honor, but not everyone shares this sentiment. Celebrities don't always accept invitations to attend events hosted by the president, even though they are frequently invited. Some celebrities decline the invitation for personal reasons, such as disagreeing with the way the leadership is handling the country, while others do so because it simply does not fit into their schedule. Let's take a look at 10 celebrities who turned down a White House invitation.

1. Chappell Roan

At a recent music event in New York, Chappell Roan performed and delivered a heartfelt message. She recited the passage that is partially inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," while dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Before addressing her invitation from the Biden administration to perform for Pride Month at the White House, she said, "That means freedom in trans rights. That means freedom in women’s rights. And it especially means freedom for all oppressed people in occupied territories." She added, "In response to the White House inviting me to perform for Pride: we want liberty, justice, and freedom for all. When you achieve that, that’s when I’ll come."

2. Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton claims that she has been invited several times to the White House to collect the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but she has declined. Dolly's husband was ill when Donald Trump first asked her, and she didn't feel well enough to go due to Covid-19 the second time around. Dolly claims that although President Joe Biden still wishes to present her with the prize, doing so would now be too politically charged.

3. Steph Curry

After their NBA Championship victory in 2017, Donald Trump extended an invitation to the Golden State Warriors to visit the White House. Steph responded by stating that he did not want to accept the invitation and disagreed with many of the actions taken by the former President.

4. Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli reportedly declined an invitation to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017. According to a source who spoke to Page Six, Andrea refused the opportunity because he was "getting too much heat."

5. Dean Martin

Despite having assisted in John F Kennedy's presidential campaign, Dean Martin is said to have declined an invitation to the inauguration. According to Dean Martin's daughter, Deana, her father refused to attend because not all of the renowned Rat Pack members received invitations. Reports suggest that Sammy Davis Jr was excluded because JFK was concerned that an interracial pair might offend some Americans, especially given Davis Jr's marriage to White actress May Britt.

6. One Direction

Michelle Obama extended an invitation to One Direction to visit the White House early in their career. She had reportedly asked them to perform at the annual Easter Egg Roll after meeting them at the 2012 Kids' Choice Awards. Unfortunately, the group had to decline because they were on tour in Australia.

7. Rupi Kaur

Poet Rupi Kaur reportedly received an invitation to Vice President Kamala Harris' Diwali celebration at the White House in 2023. Rupi declined the invitation, citing her disagreement with the Biden administration's handling of events in Palestine.

8. Tom Brady

Tom Brady has frequently missed events held at the White House. He skipped the festivities in the nation's capital when the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2015. Then, after the team triumphed again in 2017, he declined the invitation, citing reports that he was spending time with a family member who was ill.

9. Elton John

Anthony Scaramucci, the White House Director of Communications, stated before Donald Trump's inauguration that Elton John had agreed to perform at the event. However, a representative for Elton John, who has consistently expressed opposition to Donald Trump's presidency, swiftly "categorically denied" the claim.

10. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan skipped the 1991 Chicago Bulls NBA championship festivities at the White House with then President George HW Bush. Although it was claimed at the time that Michael was on an extended family vacation, he disliked media inquiries about his whereabouts.