Village People Surprise in New Delhi
The iconic disco group Village People made an unexpected appearance on Sunday at an event in New Delhi, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. They even sang “Happy Birthday” for Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio is currently visiting Japan, meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, and various officials. The U.S. Embassy, led by Ambassador Sergio Gore, organized the New Delhi festivities as a kick-off to the July celebrations for the U.S. milestone. The day was also a pre-birthday celebration for Rubio, who turns a year older on May 28th.
As reported by New Delhi Television (NDTV), during the event, Galle invited Rubio on stage and surprised him with a large cake and the disco band. The Village People, led by founding member Victor Willis, performed their infamous track “YMCA” after the birthday song. Willis has publicly supported President Trump’s use of the song.
The celebrations included performances from both American and Indian entertainers, with speeches from Rubio and Jaishankar, among others.
President Trump also addressed the audience via phone, expressing strong ties between the U.S. and India. “India trusts me and our country 100 percent,” he stated. “We are doing well. We are setting records.”
The event took place at the Bharat Mandapam, with various dignitaries in attendance, including Rubio and Jaishankar.
During a news conference, Rubio discussed U.S. immigration policy, emphasizing that changes are happening globally, not just in relation to India. “I will speak openly and honestly… it is important to talk about this,” he noted.
On Monday, CBS spotted Rubio alongside the Village People and Ambassador Gore at the Taj Mahal. The band’s presence in India was significant since it marked their first performance there, and, of course, they celebrated Rubio’s birthday with “Happy Birthday” before jumping into “YMCA.” Willis highlighted this milestone on social media, noting both its importance for the band and U.S.-India relations.
Founded in New York in 1977, Village People has achieved remarkable success over the decades, with Willis being a key figure. After a lengthy hiatus, he rejoined the band in 2017 following a legal battle over ownership and rights to their music.
While Willis has supported Trump’s association with “YMCA,” other former members, such as Felipe Rose, have distanced themselves from the political landscape altogether. Rose, who continues to be active in the music scene, has openly criticized Trump and clarified his stance on the administration.
Interestingly, “YMCA” is now associated with freedom movements worldwide, including a surprising embrace by young Iranians who share videos dancing to the song. Willis reflected on the unanticipated global impact of “YMCA” since its creation in 1978.
Rubio is in India to strengthen U.S. interests and foster relations with Indian leaders. He’s also taken part in cultural exchanges during his visit, such as the recent event, a visit to the Taj Mahal, and interacting with an elephant.
