WASHINGTON (CNN) — Pop star Beyoncé opted to use a “pre-recording” of her rendition of the National Anthem during inaugural ceremonies in Washington Monday, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Marine Band told CNN Tuesday.
U.S. Marine Band spokeswoman Kristen DuBois said early Tuesday that “we know why the decision was made,” adding that the pop star “did not actually sing,” but instead lip-synched her own voice.
Later in the day, however, the Marine Corps said in a statement that no one in their organization “is in a position to assess whether [Beyoncé's vocal performance] was live or pre-recorded.”
The conflicting reports from the Marines have yet to be clarified by a statement from Beyoncé or her representatives, who have not responded to CNN’s requests for comment.
Originally, DuBois said Beyoncé “pre-recorded” a version of the song the evening before Inauguration Day after rehearsing with the U.S. Marine Band.
In the later statement the Marine Corps said “there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event.”
“Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure, or extenuating circumstances,” the statement read.
DuBois said such pre-recordings are “not unusual,” and that recording musical performances prior to inauguration ceremonies are a necessity in case something should go awry.
“We all know Beyoncé can sing and the Marine Band can play,” DuBois said. “I’ve been with the band 14 years. It’s not unusual.”
“You can’t have an inaugural without the National Anthem,” she added.
American cellist Yo-Yo Ma was forced to use a pre-recording during President Obama’s first Inaugural four years ago, due to frigid temperatures.
Many inauguration viewers may have also noticed Beyoncé pulled her ear piece out during her performance. But DuBois did not have an explanation as to why the pop star removed the ear piece.
The Times of London first reported the story.
A representative for Kelly Clarkson, who also performed at the ceremony, tells CNN Entertainment that Clarkson did indeed sing live. And a representative for James Taylor, another performer on Monday, confirms his vocals and acoustic guitar were live, as well.
21 Comments to “Did Beyonce Lip Sync at the Inauguration?”
January 22, 2013 at 11:49 AM
So, this is news?
Must be a slow news day
January 22, 2013 at 12:03 PM
WHO CARE'S
January 22, 2013 at 12:51 PM
She faked her pregnancy so why is it surprising that she faked singing live?
January 22, 2013 at 2:41 PM
She is a fraud, she can't really sing
January 22, 2013 at 4:55 PM
stop being so mean to her its not gonna effect you in life
January 22, 2013 at 4:56 PM
ya listen to anonymous it wont effect you in life
January 22, 2013 at 6:06 PM
Probably Kelly Clarkston who sang for her
January 22, 2013 at 8:30 PM
You must be a product of LAUSD. The word is affect, not effect. This what you get for listening to this brainless, Beyonce or whatever her name is.
January 23, 2013 at 1:47 PM
stop being so mean to her its not gonna effect you in life
January 22, 2013 at 4:56 PM
you go girl
January 22, 2013 at 4:57 PM
lets go anonymous you rock
January 22, 2013 at 4:58 PM
let go
January 22, 2013 at 4:59 PM
shes awsome and so is anonymous
January 22, 2013 at 5:04 PM
ANONYMOUS ANONYMOUS ANONYMOUS ANONYMOUS LETS GO YAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22, 2013 at 5:28 PM
Im anonymous's #1 fan not you
January 22, 2013 at 5:25 PM
wow anonymous your awsome
January 22, 2013 at 5:27 PM
listen to anonymous
January 22, 2013 at 5:42 PM
That's what I call Sync-A-Licious!
January 22, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Why doesn't she sport her big puffy afro?….LOL……is she ashamed of her godgiven big puffy afro?…….wonder if she was born with her blondish brown white girl hair dew?……LMAO……..she sure as hell ain't gotta pretty husband…..big wide nose boot lip common looking negro………i've seen better looking chix @ in and out burger joints!……they just say she's soooo hot because most of the negro women are not very attractive………i think her music sux……it's corny commercial music….
January 23, 2013 at 10:01 AM
also that was not her that was a asian plastic doll
January 23, 2013 at 10:16 AM
upto I saw the check which said $8549, I didn't believe …that…my father in law could realey making money part time online.. there best friend haz done this less than six months and at present cleard the morgage on there villa and bought themselves a Lotus Carlton. we looked here, http://xurl.es/80xda