Darlene Love, 78, SLAMS Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting producers who ‘snubbed’ her and accused them of ageism for favoring ‘younger artists’ Skylar Astin, 32, and Alex Newell, 27, to perform HER song
- Singer Darlene Love posted a scathing take-down of Brad Lachman Productions, the team behind NBC’s annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting
- Darlene claimed she has been ‘snubbed’ from performing her holiday hit Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
- This year 32-year-old Pitch Perfect star Skylar Astin and 27-year-old Alex Newell performed the song at Wednesday’s ceremony
- Darlene accused the production team of ageism for repeatedly favoring ‘young artists who can’t even hit the notes properly’
- DailyMail.com has reached out to Brad Lachman Productions for comment
Singer Darlene Love is furious at the production team behind the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting who she accused of snubbing her for the last decade.
Brad Lachman Productions, who produces the annual show for NBC, was on the receiving end of a scathing Facebook post penned by the 78-year-old songstress on Wednesday.
Love is the voice behind the 1963 holiday classic Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) which was performed at this year’s show, much to her dismay, by other ‘younger artists.’
Hitting back: Singer Darlene Love posted a scathing take-down of the team behind NBC’s annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting and accused them of snubbing her by refusing to book her to sing her holiday classic Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
Darlene began her lengthy take-down: ‘Once again I was snubbed by Brad Lachman Productions who produce the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and instead they book another artist to perform my song “Christmas Baby, Please Come Home” each year!!’
The massive tree was lit on Wednesday during NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center special hosted by Today Show anchors.
The show featured performances by a handful of stars belting out holiday favorites, including Chicago, Derek and Julianne Hough, John Legend and Idina Menzel.
According to Darlene, she has repeatedly tried to perform her own Christmas hit at the yearly tree lighting and found it disrespectful that her requests have fallen on deaf ears by producers.
Speaking out: The 78-year-old took to Facebook to air her grievances about not being the right ‘demo’ to sing her own song which was performed this year by other ‘younger artists.’
The main event: The massive tree was lit on Wednesday during NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center special hosted by Today Show anchors and featuring performances by Chicago, Derek and Julianne Hough, John Legend and Idina Menzel
‘Such an insult and let down,’ she exclaimed in her Facebook post. ‘They book these young artists who can’t even hit the notes properly and are off key.
‘Makes NO sense!! That’s my song and I’m still alive. Show me some respect!’
This year, 32-year-old Pitch Perfect star Skylar Astin and 27-year-old Alex Newell performed Love’s song. The actors star in NBC’s upcoming mid-season series Zoey’s Extraordinary.
‘My publicist has been trying for over 10 years to lock this performance down for me and they keep saying that I’m not their demo or big enough and would only book me if Bette Midler or Bruce Springsteen would do it with me,’ Darlene continued.
Insult! This year, 32-year-old Pitch Perfect star Skylar Astin and 27-year-old Alex Newell performed Love’s song. The actors star in NBC’s upcoming mid-season series Zoey’s Extraordinary
‘Such an insult and let down,’ she exclaimed in her Facebook post. ‘They book these young artists who can’t even hit the notes properly and are off key. ‘Makes NO sense!! That’s my song and I’m still alive. Show me some respect!’
‘I would NEVER ask my friends to do that. If you want them, go thru their team. This business can be so unfair at times.’ The singer added that it’s a ‘constant struggle’ to stay relevant as an artist.
Back in 1986, Love performed Christmas Baby, Please Come Home on Late Night With David Letterman and it became tradition for her to return and sing it annually on Letterman.
Her Facebook post received a massive response online and in the comments section, she encourage supporters to levy complaints with producers via the ‘contact us’ section on Lachman’s website.
Holiday favorite: Love released her Christmas tune back in 1963 but it became a popular mainstay after she started performing it annually on Letterman beginning in 1986 (Darlene performing in October)
Darlene will perform her holiday tune on The View later this month and she thanked ABC producers on social media for treating her with respect.
‘They produce my entire segment, pay my entire band, singers and me too and cover all my expenses,’ she penned. ‘Most other TV shows require ME to pay them $15,000 to $20,000 to perform. I don’t have that kind of money and not signed to a label.’
DailyMail.com has reached out to Brad Lachman Productions for comment.
Tune in! Darlene will be able to perform her holiday song on The View later this month and she thanked ABC producers on social media for treating her with respect