Photo: WENN
Cee-Lo Green has been told he is no longer welcome to perform at a US Navy-sponsored gig, following his alarming rape comments earlier in the week.
The singer was supposed to perform at the Washington DC event on 20 September, but Bilboard reports that he has now been dropped from the gig.
Earlier this week, Green pleaded no contest to ecstasy possession and was also accused of having sex with a woman after "furnishing" her with ecstasy. He subsequently took to Twitter to define rape.
"People who have really been raped REMEMBER!!!"
"If someone is passed out they're not even WITH you consciously! so WITH Implies consent,"
The singer has since apologised for the comments, which he describes as "idiotic, untrue and not what I believe." The first two of those are certainly true.
The event organisers posted a statement on the Freedom LIVE Facebook page describing the comments as "inconsistent with Navy core values. Regardless of intent or context, the lack of sensitivity towards an issue that is one of the great challenges facing our Navy is unacceptable."
Ticket holders have been offered a refund. Read the full statement below.
REMOVAL OF CEELO GREEN FROM FREEDOM LIVE CONCERT PERFORMANCE
All Hands Announcement from N9 Program
We seek a Department-wide culture of gender dignity and respect where sexual assault is completely eliminated and never tolerated, where sexual assault victims receive compassionate and coordinated support, and where offenders are held appropriately accountable.
Unfortunately, one of the performers we signed for the JBAB Freedom Live show on 20 September recently posted comments on social media that we consider to completely inconsistent with Navy core values. Regardless of intent or context, the lack of sensitivity towards an issue that is one of the great challenges facing our Navy is unacceptable.
As a result, we have made the decision to pull CeeLo Green from the Freedom Live event on 20 September. Little Big Town, the main attraction for the event, will still perform as scheduled. We will announce as soon as possible a replacement opening act of the high quality that you expect and deserve.
We understand that you may have purchased tickets to see CeeLo Green and if you would like, we will fully refund your ticket. Please send your request for refund to Mr. Robert McCullough at Robert.c.mccullough@navy.mil
We hope however that you choose to join your friends, colleagues and DoD family members for an outstanding Freedom Live event, featuring Little Big Town, on 20 September at 8pm.
Thank you for understanding this important decision and please go to www.FreedomLiveNDW.com to purchase your tickets.
