Biden’s inauguration virtual parade has some star power
The virtual parade for Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration will show off some all-American star power.
“Scandal” actor Tony Goldwyn will host Wednesday’s livestreamed “Parade Across America,” with comedian Jon Stewart, singer and actress Andra Day and the rock group New Radicals set to participate.
Olympic athletes Katie Ledecky, Nathan Chen and Allyson Felix will also take part, along with Nathan Apodaca, whose TikTok video showing him longboarding and drinking cranberry juice as Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” plays achieved viral fame last year.
The announcement promised to recognize heroes in local communities and celebrate the diversity of the United States with performances in every state and U.S. territory.
“As a nation, we are strengthened by our respect for one another,” Tony Allen, the Presidential Inaugural Committee CEO and president of Delaware State University, said.
“By lifting up voices from all walks of life, in every corner of our country, we want the first moments of the Biden-Harris Administration to be a celebration of an inclusive, resilient united America.”
Day’s appearance in the virtual event comes a month before her highly anticipated movie, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” in which she stars as the titular jazz icon, hits Hulu Feb. 26. She’s also the vocalist behind the stirring 2015 anthem “Rise Up.”
Wednesday’s virtual parade begins at 3:15 p.m., following the inaugural ceremonies, with Biden and Kamala Harris getting an escort to the White House.
Also to be featured are the drum lines from the University of Delaware, Biden’s alma mater, and Howard University, where Harris graduated.
And among the heroes to be recognized is 12-year-old trumpeter Jason Zgonc, who lifted the spirits of health care workers in Atlanta by performing for them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lineup follows last week’s announcement Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem at the inauguration, and Jennifer Lopez will also perform.