The team behind Jessica Simpson has been accused of snubbing a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans after their combat fatigues were deemed too scruffy to join her on stage for a glamorous TV special.
The 4Troops, a singing group of combat veterans, were told their camouflage gear was not fancy enough to sing with Simpson on her PBS Christmas special filmed at the Roseland Ballroom on Thursday.
A source told Page Six, "Jessica's dad, Joe Simpson, effectively kicked them off the show because he didn't like what they were wearing. They were in camo pants and blazers, the same outfits they wore to sing for Gen. David Petraeus on the USS Intrepid. They were told they couldn't perform unless they were wearing tuxedos.
"They waited for six hours until midnight only to be told their number with Jessica had been cut from the show," the source said. "The irony was Jessica was on stage saying how much she supports and admires the troops, and the veterans were stuck in a room in the basement. Instead of enduring more humiliation, the veterans left."
4Troops consists of former Sgt. Daniel Jens, who was deployed in Iraq in 2007; former Capt. Meredith Melcher, who also served in Iraq; Staff Sgt. Ron Henry, who retired from the Army after a 20-year career; and former Sgt. David Clemo, who did tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.
A spokeswoman for 4Troops said, "Joe should be ashamed of himself." Jens said, "I am so disappointed and angry, I threw up when I got back to my room."
Simpson's rep said: "The song was cut due to time. Jessica wasn't even aware. She is wholeheartedly devoted to the troops. She just returned from the Persian Gulf where she performed for and met with service men and women stationed at several different locations. The military was the source of inspiration for her entire Christmas album, so much so that she recorded a duet for the album with a USS Harry Truman sailor."
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