Entertainment
Beyoncé: Yes, it was prerecorded
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31 Jan 2013
- Written by Greg Botelho/CNN
Yes, Beyoncé can sing – all by herself, thank you very much.
That much she showed Thursday, when she opened her appearance before reporters in New Orleans – where she's set to headline the Super Bowl XLVII halftime performance Sunday – with a stirring, a cappella rendition of the national anthem.
It was the same tune she sang just over a week ago at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
But on that momentous occasion, Beyoncé admitted on Thursday, she had some help.
The world-renowned pop singer told reporters that 'she decided to sing along with my prerecorded track,' a decision she made in part because she didn't have time to rehearse with the U.S. Marine Band.
"I did not feel comfortable taking a risk," Beyoncé said. "I wanted to make (President Obama) and the country proud."
The admission about the January 21 performance wasn't a complete shock.
A spokeswoman for the Marine Band initially said that Beyoncé "was not actually singing" the national anthem. Hours later, the band backed away from the spokeswoman's remarks, releasing a statement that said the group was not in a position to know for sure.
Beyoncé had been mum on the topic, until she discussed the matter Thursday. Calling herself a "perfectionist" who will typically "practice until my feet bleed," she conceded worrying about potential problems during "a live television show" taking place outside on a chilly Washington day.
The singer said that the practice of performers singing along with prerecorded tracks is common in her industry.
Still, she promised that she won't be doing it Sunday during the Super Bowl halftime show.
"I will absolutely be singing live," Beyoncé said. "This is what I was born to do."
