By Deirdre Spilman
Opinion Editor
Patriotism swept the nation last Monday when President Barack Obama was inaugurated for his second term. The event became even more momentous as he is the nation’s first African-American president and the ceremony just happened to take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
However, if you are like me, you weren’t completely focused on the meaning of the inauguration itself, but all of the frills that surrounded it.
How stylish Michelle and Malia Obama looked in J. Crew and Kelly Clarkson’s use of a teleprompter when performing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” captured my attention, but what resonated the most with me was Beyoncé’s fabulous performance of the national anthem.
This performance has now undeservedly been surrounded by controversy by those who think that she may have not performed live.
I am a huge Beyoncé fan, so I was thrilled to see she was given the chance to be part of something as prestigious as a presidential inauguration for a second time.
She is one of the greatest entertainers in the industry right now, so it only makes sense that someone so big would be selected to perform at an event as big as this.
However, I quickly snapped back into reality from my excitement after the first report of her lip syncing came out.
It all started Tuesday when Master Sgt. Kristen duBois, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Band, said Beyoncé was using a backing track and not actually singing live.
Yes, it is true that Beyoncé recorded a backing track this past Sunday in the Marine Corps Studio, according to a Jan. 22 New York Times article, but duBois had no authority to comment beyond that because she was not standing close enough to hear if she was actually singing.
She has no idea if Beyoncé actually used that track. Sure, she can comment on whether or not the Marine Corps performed live – they didn’t – but she has no right to disparage an amazing display of talent without all of the facts.
Even if it turns out that she didn’t sing live, who cares? In outdoor events where the weather can be unpredictable, it is not unheard of for artists to use a backing track.
Capt. Gregory A. Wolf tried to boost the Marine Corps Band’s reputation after the public relations faux pas, saying, “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,” according to a Jan. 22 CBS News article.
In the previous inauguration, world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma used a backing track for fear that his instrument would not sound right under the day’s frigid temperatures, according to the same article.
Beyoncé is extremely talented and has nothing to prove to anybody. The world already knows she can sing like no other. So do not base your opinion of her or her talent on this one issue. Take a look at all of her past live performances and the inauguration will seem like a small bump on her brilliant road to success.
Beyoncé has an incredible voice and petty people will try to tear her down for that, but duBois, take your slander someplace else. It is not welcome here.
