New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is calling for Dick Clark Productions to remove Christian artist and Lafayette native Lauren Daigle from the annual Rockin' New Years Eve celebration. Cantrell reference Daigle's unpermitted performance last month in the "Let Us Worship” rally in the French Quarter.In the letter, Cantrell said Daigle should not be rewarded with national exposure after violating public health guidance. In the letter, Cantrell says Daigle put the residents of the city at risk."She harmed our people, she risked the lives of our residents, and she strained our first responders in a way that is unconscionable- in the midst of a public health crisis. This is not who we are, and she cannot be allowed to represent New Orleans or the people she willfully endangered," the letter read in part. According to City of New Orleans Communications Director Beau Tidwell, Cantrell met Friday with Daigle to discuss the performance as well as her concerns. "Mayor Cantrell met with Ms. Daigle today and is always eager to engage with all stakeholders on matters of public health and public safety. The Mayor's concerns regarding Daigle's actions in November remain the same."Lt. Governor Billy Nugesser was critical of Cantrell's letter, calling the move disappointing. He issued the following statement: "The last four years the State of Louisiana and Louisiana Office of Tourism has sponsored ABC’s “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” broadcast to millions of viewers from the iconic Jackson Square at midnight CST after the ball drops in New York, promoting the City of New Orleans and our state. After 4 years of record breaking tourism welcoming over 53 million people to Louisiana, we thought it was important that we highlight our state and our Ambassador, two time Grammy Award winning singer, Lauren Daigle. We were also planning to honor healthcare and essential workers."Lauren is also the state’s voice of the Sunshine Tourism Recovery Plan. Tourism is the 4th largest industry in our state generating over $19 billion in revenue for our economy. It is vitally important we reintroduce Louisiana to the country and the world as a safe and enjoyable destination post Covid-19 with the only live broadcast in the U.S. The 6 minute live presentation would have included videos promoting every corner of the state. We bought the rights for Lauren to record her rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” written by the late great Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis. The centerpiece of The Sunshine Plan Recovery Plan launch is joy found in life and life and travel throughout Louisiana. At midnight Lauren have would led the nation singing “Auld Lang Syne.”"Unfortunately, Mayor Cantrell said no to Lauren Daigle performing on the telecast in the City of New Orleans."The state was willing to move the location to a riverboat anchored in Gretna with New Orleans as the back drop. Mayor Cantrell then sent a letter to Dick Clark Productions asking them to exclude Lauren from any New Year’s Eve production."I am shocked and disappointed that the Mayor would attack one of our own in this manner."Read Cantrell's full letter here.
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is calling for Dick Clark Productions to remove Christian artist and Lafayette native Lauren Daigle from the annual Rockin' New Years Eve celebration.
Cantrell reference Daigle's unpermitted performance last month in the "Let Us Worship” rally in the French Quarter.
In the letter, Cantrell said Daigle should not be rewarded with national exposure after violating public health guidance.
In the letter, Cantrell says Daigle put the residents of the city at risk.
"She harmed our people, she risked the lives of our residents, and she strained our first responders in a way that is unconscionable- in the midst of a public health crisis. This is not who we are, and she cannot be allowed to represent New Orleans or the people she willfully endangered," the letter read in part.
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According to City of New Orleans Communications Director Beau Tidwell, Cantrell met Friday with Daigle to discuss the performance as well as her concerns.
"Mayor Cantrell met with Ms. Daigle today and is always eager to engage with all stakeholders on matters of public health and public safety. The Mayor's concerns regarding Daigle's actions in November remain the same."
Lt. Governor Billy Nugesser was critical of Cantrell's letter, calling the move disappointing.
He issued the following statement:
"The last four years the State of Louisiana and Louisiana Office of Tourism has sponsored ABC’s “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” broadcast to millions of viewers from the iconic Jackson Square at midnight CST after the ball drops in New York, promoting the City of New Orleans and our state. After 4 years of record breaking tourism welcoming over 53 million people to Louisiana, we thought it was important that we highlight our state and our Ambassador, two time Grammy Award winning singer, Lauren Daigle. We were also planning to honor healthcare and essential workers.
"Lauren is also the state’s voice of the Sunshine Tourism Recovery Plan. Tourism is the 4th largest industry in our state generating over $19 billion in revenue for our economy. It is vitally important we reintroduce Louisiana to the country and the world as a safe and enjoyable destination post Covid-19 with the only live broadcast in the U.S. The 6 minute live presentation would have included videos promoting every corner of the state. We bought the rights for Lauren to record her rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” written by the late great Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis. The centerpiece of The Sunshine Plan Recovery Plan launch is joy found in life and life and travel throughout Louisiana. At midnight Lauren have would led the nation singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
"Unfortunately, Mayor Cantrell said no to Lauren Daigle performing on the telecast in the City of New Orleans.
"The state was willing to move the location to a riverboat anchored in Gretna with New Orleans as the back drop. Mayor Cantrell then sent a letter to Dick Clark Productions asking them to exclude Lauren from any New Year’s Eve production.
"I am shocked and disappointed that the Mayor would attack one of our own in this manner."
Read Cantrell's full letter here.
