A Rockette's recent revelation has added another disturbing layer to president-elect Donald Trump's frenzied inauguration planning. Speaking anonymously to Marie Claire, a dancer for the Rockettes says being tapped to perform at Trump's big day has caused a rift within the company and has made dancers uncertain about their place within the legendary dancing organization.

"If I had to lose my job over this, I would. It's too important,” the dancer, who is referred to as “Mary” throughout the interview, tells Marie Claire. “And I think the rest of the performing arts community would happily stand behind me."

Initially, it appeared as though the dancers were contractually obligated to perform at the inauguration, even if they disliked Trump and wished to skip the performance. Some didn't even find out via their company, Mary says. “We actually found out through text messages from friends. They sent me screenshots of CNN, where the screen said: 'Rockettes to Perform at Trump's Inauguration.' ” Talk of boycotting the event sprang up, until an email from the American Guild of Variety Artists (which was later leaked to the public) said full-time dancers are “obligated” to perform. “Any talk of boycotting this event is invalid, I'm afraid."

Public pressure pushed the Madison Square Garden Company to clarify that no dancer is ever “told they have to perform at a particular event, including the inaugural. It is always their choice. In fact, for the coming inauguration, we had more Rockettes request to participate than we have slots available. We eagerly await the inaugural celebrations.” The MSG Company directed Vanity Fair to this previous statement when asked to comment on the Marie Claire story.

However, Mary says full-time dancers were not told it was optional, only receiving an email that told them details of the inauguration appearance. “It wasn't optional at first,” she says, adding that dancers who have decided to skip the event are now concerned they might lose their jobs. Out of the 13 full-time, year-round Rockettes, three have already decided to sit out the event, Mary says. In addition, she says no women of color have signed up to perform. “It's almost worse to have 18 pretty white girls behind this man who supports so many hate groups," she says.
The AGVA and the Inauguration Committee have not yet responded to Vanity Fair's request for comment.

The controversy surrounding the Rockettes's performance is just one facet of an already highly troubled inauguration. Numerous stars have reportedly turned down requests to perform, including Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli. Singers like Elton John and Garth Brooks have released statements plainly denying inauguration rumors, while artists like Gene Simmons's wife casually told TMZ that KISS was asked to perform, but chose to decline the gig.

The Wrap has also published numerous reports detailing the inauguration committee's alleged attempts to persuade A-listers to perform. High-end talent bookers have claimed that committee members have made cash and ambassadorship offers. Talent booker Suzanne Bender has also reportedly been brought in to create a “Hail Mary” style shake-up to assuage Trump's anger at the lack of A-list performers.

The committee, of course, has rejected such claims; Boris Epshteyn, the communications director for the inaugural committee, told the Wrap “there is no truth” to these reports. “First-class entertainers are eager to participate in the inaugural events. The inauguration as a whole will be an exciting and uniting celebration of freedom and democracy.” On Tuesday, Ephshteyn told CNN's Don Lemon that Trump isn't courting big name stars because “this is not Woodstock.”

“It’s not a concert, it’s not about the celebrities. . . . It’s about the people,” he says. His point echoed a previous tweet from the president-elect, who claimed “so-called 'A' list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I want the PEOPLE!”

Thus far, the Rockettes will be performing for Trump alongside teen opera star Jackie Evancho and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Jan. 20.