Grace Jones and Other Music Icons Decline to Join ‘Melania’ Soundtrack

The team behind the documentary “Melania” faced major challenges while building its soundtrack. Several well-known music icons chose not to license their songs for the film.

Among them was Grace Jones, the legendary singer and actress who became famous in the late 1970s and 1980s. According to producer Marc Beckman, Jones decided not to take part because of political concerns connected to the project.

Other major names also declined. These included Prince and the rock band Guns N’ Roses. Beckman explained in an interview with Variety that getting approvals was not easy. In some cases, band members had different political views, which made it harder to secure full agreement.

Beckman said it was disappointing because, in his view, the documentary is not meant to be political. However, he admitted that politics played a role in some artists’ decisions.

The music discussion also includes composer Jonny Greenwood, known for his work with Radiohead and for scoring the film Phantom Thread. Greenwood publicly objected after learning that music he composed for “Phantom Thread” appeared in the documentary. He and director Paul Thomas Anderson asked for the piece to be removed.

Beckman responded that the music was properly licensed from the rights holder. Because of those legal rights, the music is expected to remain in the film. Despite the disagreement, Beckman said he still respects Radiohead and remains a fan.

Even though several artists declined, the production team did secure music from other major acts. Beckman confirmed that the documentary includes songs from Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, Aretha Franklin, and The Rolling Stones.

Music licensing for films can be complex. Artists, estates, and rights holders all have a say. In this case, political concerns clearly influenced some decisions.

The situation shows how music, film, and public figures can intersect in complicated ways. While not every artist agreed to participate, the documentary still features a lineup of well-known songs.

As conversations continue around the project, the soundtrack debate has become one of the most talked-about parts of the film’s release.