J Balvin took a stand against Donald Trump on behalf of his fellow Latinos — and Univision Communications Inc. has now done the same.
“We’re talking about our roots, our culture, our values,” Balvin, the 30-year-old Colombian reggaeton star, told Billboard on Wednesday about canceling his upcoming performance at the Miss USA pageant. He made that decision due toTrump’s comments about immigrants from Mexico and Latin America in his June 16 speech announcing his presidential run.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said. “They’re sending people that have lots of problems … they’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
“Today, the entertainment division of Univision Communications Inc. announced that it is ending the company’s business relationship with the Miss Universe Organization, which is part-owned by Donald J. Trump, based on his recent, insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants,” the network said in a statement provided to the Daily News on Thursday.
“As Univision, we see first-hand the work ethic, love for family, strong religious values and the important role Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have had and will continue to have in building the future of our country,” the statement read. “We will not be airing the Miss USA pageant on July 12th or working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organization.”
Trump responded via Twitter, “Univision wants to back out of signed @MissUniverse contract because I exposed the terrible trade deals that the U.S. makes with Mexico.”
Balvin heard the speech after it aired, then discovered Trump co-owned the Miss Universe Organization — which crowned Miss USA Nia Sanchez, who is part Mexican, while Miss Universe Paulina Vega is Colombian — and decided to pull out of the pageant, airing live July 12.
“Mexico is a Latin powerhouse,” the singer told Billboard. “And Mexicans, they’re known as hard workers. Here in the U.S., not everybody wants to do those kinds of jobs. I know what it feels like and what they go through and how families suffer. A comment like that is powerful.”
So powerful that Mexico, whose immigrants make up the largest segment of the Hispanic population in the U.S., is threatening to boycott the Miss Universe pageant.
“In this moment, I feel that our representative’s integrity and dignity is at risk,” Lupita Jones, who was Miss Universe 24 years ago, told a Mexican broadcaster Radio Channel about possibly withdrawing Mexico’s contestant, KNBC-TV reported Wednesday.
Balvin’s decision to withdraw from the Miss USA show was pretty powerful as well, since it was going to be one of the biggest performances of the rising star’s career.
“(‘Miss USA’) was going to be my first performance on national (mainstream) television,” he explained.
But, the “6 AM” singer continued: “This isn’t about being punitive, but about showing leadership through social responsibility. His comments weren’t just about Mexicans, but about all Latins in general.”
Despite the exposure he could have gained from performing in the pageant, Balvin says he is proud of the decision he made to put his cultural pride ahead of a show linked to Trump.
“I think music is to have fun. It’s for people to have a good time with. I’m no savior and I’m no Robin Hood,” he said. “But in this case, I feel totally comfortable and responsible with my decision.”
Balvin’s spokesperson said in a statement provided to the Daily News on Thursday: “J Balvin was initially very grateful for the opportunity to share his music with a national U.S. network television audience when first invited to be a performer on the upcoming Miss USA broadcast. However, he can no longer in good conscience agree to take part in an event that is overseen by, and creates a profit for, Donald Trump, while Mr. Trump attacks the hard-working Latino immigrant community with hateful political rhetoric. As a result, J Balvin’s management informed the Miss Universe Organization to withdraw his name from the announcement of participants in the Miss USA broadcast.”
The Miss Universe Organization didn’t immediately respond to the Daily News’ request for further comment.
“Univision News and the local news division will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of all candidates, including Mr. Trump, to ensure our audience continues to have access to all points of view,” the network’s press release added Thursday.
By Zayda Rivera [Daily News]