Nellie defended her decision to perform at incoming President Trump's inaugural ball this weekend, saying the event was "not a campaign event."

"I'm not involved in politics," the rapper said during a live chat with Willie D. on Saturday night. “I’m not here to tell anyone who to vote for.”

This week, the list of artists booked to perform at Trump's inauguration event sparked backlash, with many fans criticizing the singer for accepting the invitation. Carrie Underwood, Gavin DeGraw and Billy Ray Cyrus will all star. Nelly will perform at the Lady Liberty Inaugural Ball, having originally been announced as a "surprise musical guest" alongside Jason Aldean and The Country People.

"This is not me telling you, 'Yo, you should vote for this candidate.'" I think you should do your homework and figure out what's best for you and the people you love and the people you support, because I didn't know a lot about a lot of it when it actually happened," Nelly continued Saturday. "But I will say, I respect this office. This is not politics. For me, politics is over. He won! He is the president. He is the commander in chief of what I would say is the best country in the world. "

Nellie also spoke about his experiences as a child on a military base in Texas, praising family members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. "If these people can dedicate their lives to the office, Nellie will do a great job," he said. "It's an honor for me to perform for the President of the United States, no matter who is in office."

The "Hot in Herre" singer said he was disappointed with fans' criticism of his choice to perform. “If President Biden asks me to perform, I will perform. If Vice President Kamala Harris wins and asks me to perform, I will perform… I don’t know you’re riding with me because you think I will Ride for who you vote for. I don’t know that I have to agree with your political choices, and that shouldn’t even be an argument.”

When Willie D. asked the musician if he considered himself a Trump supporter, Nelly said, "I support the president of the United States no matter who is in office. No matter what, I respect this office." At the end of the conversation Elsewhere, he said: "Performing for someone and voting for someone are two different things."

hollywood reporter A representative for Nellie has been contacted for further comment.