Cowboys Thanksgiving Halftime Show Could Be in Jeopardy as Ellie Goulding Threatens to Pull Out

It's an NFL tradition for the Dallas Cowboys to play on Thanksgiving Day, where football meets entertainment. Each year, there's a big halftime show performer to kick start the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign.

On Tuesday, Grammy-nominated singer Ellie Goulding threatened to pull out of the halftime show due to her concern regarding the Salvation Army's alleged homophobia and transgender bias, following backlash from her fans on social media.

Ellie Goulding threatens to cancel Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day halftime performance over her newfound concerns about the Salvation Army https://t.co/wTvVrundnh
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 12, 2019

“Upon researching this, I have reached out to The Salvation Army and said that I would have no choice but to pull out unless they very quickly make a solid, committed pledge or donation to the LGBTQ community,” she wrote on social media, via the Dallas Morning News. “I am a committed philanthropist as you probably know, and my heart has always been in helping the homeless, but supporting an anti-LGBTQ charity is clearly not something I would ever intentionally do. Thank you for drawing my attention to this.”

After being named the game's halftime performer, Goulding posted a photo on her Instagram of her helping out at a Salvation Army center in New York. Her comment section was flooded by critics of the charitable organization, saying they are anti-LGBTQ.

The Thanksgiving halftime show helps start the Red Kettle campaign, which helps provides toys to children in need since 1997. Last year, the show headlined by Meghan Trainor helped raise $142.7 million.

View this post on Instagram

Ok so maybe hairnet not my strongest look but thank you @salvationarmyus for having us in New York. As you know, I have spent a lot of time in shelters in London, and this was my first time in NYC... The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need. I sat and spoke to several people who had come in from the bitter cold for some food (they serve to over 150 per day here) , warmth and perhaps a chat with one of the volunteers. ??

A post shared by elliegoulding (@elliegoulding) on Nov 12, 2019 at 6:30am PST

Goulding's change of heart comes after revealing her excitement in a press release just last week.

The gauntlet has been laid down by Ellie Goulding. Either the Salvation Army makes a donation to the LGBTQ community, or they need to find another halftime performer.