Despite several artists refusing to perform at the upcoming coronation concert of King Charles III, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Andrea Bocelli have confirmed their participation.
Their performances will come up on Sunday 7th May, a day after Charles, 47, and Queen Camilla are crowned the UK’s new sovereigns following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Included in the star-studded lineup for the coronation concert are Katy Perry 38, Lionel Richie 73, and Andrea Bocelli 64, along with other notable performers such as British pop group Take That, Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings, and Alexis Ffrench.
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A statement made by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reads,
“The concert will celebrate a new chapter in the nation’s history, with themes of love, respect and optimism, celebrating the four nations, their communities and the Commonwealth”.
American Idol judges Perry and Richie have known Charles for years, having served as ambassadors for his charities.
The “Roar” songstress has been an ambassador of the British Asian Trust since 2020. The nonprofit was co-founded by Charles to tackle poverty in South Asia.
In a statement, Perry said
“I am excited to be performing at the Coronation Concert, and helping to shine a further light on the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund, whose work includes on-ground initiatives to fundraising, with the aim to find solutions to child trafficking”.
In 2019, Lionel Richie was named the first chairman and global ambassador of the Prince’s Trust Global Ambassador Group. The Prince’s Trust was founded by Charles in 1976 with the aim of helping underprivileged youth.
In a statement, Richie said,
“To share the stage with the other performers at The Coronation Concert is a once-in-a-lifetime event and it will be an honor and a celebration,” the “All Night Long” crooner said in a statement of his own.”
While Richie, Perry and Bocelli are sure to put on a great show, many musicians weren’t interested in being a part of the program.
According to reports by Rolling Stone last month, Adele, Elton John, Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls are among the acts who turned down to put on a show for the newly crowned king.
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Why do you think top English singers refused to perform at this upcoming historical event?