Florida Boycott List Discredited, Had Included Kanye, Jay Z, Alicia Keys

Celebrity Florida Boycott List Discredited
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 30: Recording artist Stevie Wonder performs onstage during the 2013 BET Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on June 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 30: Recording artist Stevie Wonder performs onstage during the 2013 BET Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on June 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)

Representatives for a number of artists on a purported list of musicians and performers boycotting the state of Florida in the wake of the George Zimmerman verdict said Tuesday that their clients have never heard of or been contacted about the list.

American Urban Radio Networks White House correspondent April Ryan first reported the list -- which includes heavyweights like Justin Timberlake, Jay Z, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Madonna and more -- on Monday and credited it to "sources close to the Stevie Wonder camp." The Huffington Post linked to Ryan's list and noted at the time that representatives for artists were being contacted. Late Monday night, HuffPost sources revealed that Rihanna was not involved, despite being named. MotherJones received word that the Rolling Stones -- who also appear on the list -- had never heard of such a campaign.

Additional representatives on Tuesday confirmed to HuffPost that other boldface names on the the list were not involved, but declined to identify their clients on the record. Denials reached a critical mass that began to shed serious doubt on the veracity of the list. On Tuesday, Ryan posted an update on her website in which she said that representatives of artists named "are uncomfortable being identified on that list."

A similar list had been posted on Instagram and Facebook in advance of Ryan's posting.

HuffPost reached Ryan by phone on Tuesday afternoon, and she said the list came from "very credible sources" who had provided her with accurate information in the past. Ryan said she had not seen the Instagram or other social media posts in advance of publishing the list or her update.

Ryan said she received the the list from sources who were "in support of Stevie" and that it was sent to her via text message "in the middle of the night." She saw the message later on Monday morning.

Here's Ryan's full statement:

I obtained from multiple sources early Monday a list of artists and entertainers who my sources told me had committed to a boycott of Florida following the George Zimmerman acquittal. Since publishing that list I have heard from several representatives of the artists named who say, on behalf of their clients, they are uncomfortable being identified on that list and are seeking additional information.

The Huffington Post has updated the original post on the matter with a prominent link to this page.

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