Multi-platinum recording singer and actress Beyonce gave a jaw-dropping performance on Monday at President Obama's second-term Inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C. Her flawless rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" received a wide array of praise, however it has been confirmed that the Grammy Award-winning superstar wasn't actually singing. She made the last minute decision to play a pre-recorded verison of the National Anthem rather than sing it live. According to a spokeswoman for the Marine Band, Master Sgt. Kristin duBois, Beyonce was lip-syncing to the song that she recorded at a Marine Corps studio in Washington on Sunday night.
"We don't know why," Sergeant duBois said. "But that is what we were instructed to do so that is what we did. It's not because Beyoncé can't sing. We all know Beyoncé can sing. We all know the Marine Band can play."
It is unknown who made the decision that Beyonce should perform by lip-syncing. Just before the Single Ladies singer went on stage, the band's director Col. Michael J. Colburn was ordered by the event's organizers to switch to a backing track. Sergeant duBois said, "The entire performance was live except for the national anthem."
"All music [for inaugural ceremonies] is prerecorded as a matter of course, and that's something we've done for years and years. The Marine Band did perform live throughout the ceremony but we received last-minute word that Beyoncé wanted to use the recording."
The song was recorded at the Marine Barracks Annex studio using tracks already laid down by the Marine Band, Sergeant duBois asserted.
In 2009, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and two colleagues used backing tracks during their performance at President Obama's first inauguration because of the bitter cold.
Watch Beyonce's performance below.
Related Article:
Beyonce's National Anthem, Kelly Clarkson & James Taylor's Performances At Obama's 2013 Inauguration (WATCH VIDEOS); Obama Initiates 2nd Term
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