Three prominent music acts — or their representatives — declined requests to have their work featured in the upcoming film Melania, according to producer Marc Beckman. In an interview with Variety, Beckman said that Guns N’ Roses, Grace Jones, and the estate of Prince did not grant music rights for the project.
Beckman described the decisions as disappointing, noting that discussions had taken place before the requests were ultimately rejected. In the case of Prince’s catalog, Beckman said initial approval was later reversed by a representative of the estate. He maintained that the film centers on Melania Trump and is not intended to be political in nature.
Despite those setbacks, Beckman said the production secured approvals from other well-known artists. He indicated that music from Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, Aretha Franklin, and The Rolling Stones will be included in the film.
Another dispute has reportedly emerged involving Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead. Greenwood has objected to the use of orchestral music he composed for the film Phantom Thread appearing in the documentary.
Separately, President Donald Trump recently resolved a legal dispute with the estate of Isaac Hayes regarding the campaign use of the song “Hold On, I’m Coming.” While Beckman has emphasized that Melania is not a political film, the soundtrack discussions highlight how music licensing decisions can intersect with public figures and broader public debate.