Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli Pulls Out of Great American State Fair, Calling It a ‘Circus’

Fab Morvan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Freedom 250 festival at the Great American State Fair. His departure follows a pointed public rebuke from the original Milli Vanilli vocalists—Jodie Rocco, Linda Rocco, Brad Howell, John Davis, and Charles Shaw—who clarified that anyone performing under the group’s name at the event had no legitimate connection to their legacy.

Speaking with CNN on Monday, June 1, Morvan confirmed his exit, joining an escalating list of artists—including Martina McBride, The Commodores, and Young MC—who have abandoned the festival’s lineup.

“This is not what I signed up for,” Morvan remarked. He explained that he had initially accepted the invitation under the impression that it would be a celebratory, non-political moment for the nation’s 250th anniversary. However, as the roster began to thin, he felt the atmosphere shift. “I’m here to bring people together,” he stated. “I’m stepping out in peace.”

The rift highlights a long-standing tension regarding the Milli Vanilli brand. While Morvan holds the legal rights to the name, the original vocalists have remained vocal about the ethical implications. After the initial festival announcement, Jodie Rocco expressed deep frustration on Facebook, criticizing the decision to feature Morvan, noting that he did not contribute vocals to the original 46 tracks recorded by the group. She characterized the booking as “shamefully awful” and “denigrating” to the original singers.

Although the Freedom 250 organizers framed the event as a patriotic celebration, it has become increasingly polarized, drawing scrutiny over its ties to Donald Trump’s political orbit. In response to the wave of cancellations, the former president hinted on Truth Social at replacing the departed acts with his own appearance, referring to the original performers as “highly paid, Third Rate Artists.”

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