British singer Rebecca Ferguson has said she will accept an invitation to sing at President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, but on one condition.

Rebecca Ferguson, who found fame after making the finals of the X Factor in 2010, has been invited to perform at the next US President Donald Trump’s inauguration. So far Elton John, Céline Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Kiss and other famous acts have rejected Trump’s invitation, however Ferguson is willing to play if she can sing Strange Fruit.

The classic track, originally by Billie Holiday and famously covered by Nina Simone, depicts the lynching of African-American’s and has become one of the most notorious anti-racist songs in the world. After receiving the invitation to play from Trump Ferguson wrote a personal response in a statement on Twitter, reading:

I’ve been asked and this is my answer. If you allow me to sing Strange Fruit, a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial. A song that speaks to all the disregarded and downtrodden black people in the United States. A song that is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world, then I will graciously accept your invitation and see you in Washington. 
Best Rebecca X

Ferguson is showing resolve by not refusing Trump, rather wishing to use the event as an opportunity to send a message and help unite rather than separate further. However, whether the President-elect will see it so favourably is unknown and there is currently no news on whether Trump and his team will accept the song request and allow Ferguson to sing Strange Fruit at his inauguration.

With the number of artists able to play at the ceremony quickly dwindling Trump may have to take up the offer, and maybe the powerful meaning of the song will resonate somewhere under that blonde rug.