While the Beyonce camp remains silent, there have been conflicting reports about whether the superstar singer lip synched the National Anthem at Monday’s presidential inauguration. now, an inauguration official confirms to CNN that Beyonce did, indeed lip sync:
“She did not sing live,” the official told CNN. A pre-recording of the artist’s rendition of the National Anthem was played instead. What was heard by spectators and viewers was the sound of that recording, according to the official.
“Because she didn’t have time to rehearse with the Marine Band, she decided to use her recording with the Marine Band,” the official added. “It was all Beyoncé.”
She recorded her part separately from the band and her rendition was married with the band’s music, the official said.
I don’t have a problem with Beyonce lip synching. There is a long standing precedent set by singers such as Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson and more of lip singing the anthem at big important events. But what bugs me, is Beyonce’s people’s attempt to pass off a performance as live when it was not. Beyonce could have cleared things up by making a statement. But she chose to keep the issue murky by staying silent.
The problem is the praise heaped on the singer by critics for a so-called live performance that actually was not live. It sets an unrealistic standard for those such as Beyonce’s fellow inaugural singers, James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson who took the risk and braved the cold to sing live, with a live band.
Beyonce’s people have not responded to the controversy, and I doubt that they will. It’s too bad. I’d respect the singer if she’d just step in and clear up the confusion.
Via CNN
