The producer of “Melania,” the controversial documentary chronicling the first lady’s life in the lead-up to the 2025 inauguration, is pulling the curtain back on its buzzy soundtrack.
Marc Beckman, an advisor to Melania Trump and a key figure in the film’s production, told Variety in a new interview that certain artists declined to have their songs featured.
“There was music that we tried to get, but sadly, there were politics to it,” Beckman said in the interview published Monday. “For example, the guys from Guns N’ Roses split down the middle politically. There was a beautiful song we wanted to use, and one of the guys – I don’t want to name, it’s not fair – said, ‘You got it. Go.’ And the other one was basically like, ‘There’s just no way.'”
‘Melania’ movie features Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Elvis songs
The movie, which exceeded expectations at the box office but drew criticism from some over potential conflicts of interest, still included highly recognizable tunes. Released theatrically on Jan. 30, “Melania” included tracks like “Gimme Shelter,” “Billie Jean” and Aretha Franklin’s rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Beckman revealed, however, that certain songs did not make it off the wish list.
“There was a song that we wanted to use from Grace Jones; obviously, also a tremendous amount of respect for her,” he told Variety. “She apparently couldn’t get over the political hurdle, notwithstanding the fact that the film is not a political film. So that was disappointing, too. It’s disappointing when people put politics so far ahead, and that happened a little bit with the film, for sure.”
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Prince’s music was also ultimately pulled, after his estate voiced concern over being associated with President Donald Trump.
“We were ready to go, and this lawyer that manages the estate was like, ‘Prince would never want his song associated with Donald Trump,'” Beckman said. “And we’re like, ‘But it’s not a Donald Trump film! He comes into the movie once in a while, but this is all about Melania. It’s not political.’ And that guy blocked it. It’s so ridiculous.”
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Prince’s estate, Grace Jones and Guns N’ Roses for comment.
The producer also used the interview to respond to statements from Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and director Paul Thomas Anderson, who chided the makers of “Melania” for employing a soundtrack cue from their 2017 movie “Phantom Thread.”
“It’s funny – Radiohead is one of my all-time favorite bands. For them to have come out publicly and distanced themselves, I think that’s just part of the unfortunate time we’re living in,” Beckman told Variety. “We went out and created a nice film that doesn’t get into any kind of political policy or anything like that. The music at that moment is so perfect, honestly, I was so thrilled to be able to use it.”
What the ‘Melania’ movie reveals (and what it leaves out)
Beckman’s comments illustrate the sticky science of soundtracking a movie amid a contentious relationship with the music industry. Though the president has celebrity supporters such as George Strait, Nicki Minaj and Kid Rock, as well as tacit endorsements from Snoop Dogg, Carrie Underwood and Nelly – who all performed at various inauguration events – he has also been plagued by rocky relations with musicians throughout his time in office.
Over the years, A-list musicians including The Rolling Stones, Sabrina Carpenter, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna and Céline Dion have decried his administration’s use of their music in everything from promotional videos for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to campaign rallies.
Ultimately, “Melania” blended an original score with a patchwork of licensing.
See the full ‘Melania’ movie soundtrack
Rolling Stones: “Gimme Shelter”
Michael Jackson: “Billie Jean”
Sylvie Vartan: “La Maritza”
Aretha Franklin: Amazing Grace
Tears for Fears: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Instrumental)
Jonny Greenwood: “Barbara Rose”
James Brown: “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World”
ADVERTISEMENTElvis Presley: “An American Trilogy”
Village People: “Y.M.C.A.”
The Crystals: “Then He Kissed Me”
Jeff Danna: “What I’ll Do”
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Patrick Ryan, Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Melania’ movie music – Producer reveals which artists declined
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