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Was she live, or was she still Memorex?
Beyoncé walked onstage at a pre-Super Bowl press conference yesterday and belted out a barn-burning acappella rendition of the national anthem that was, for once, totally live.
At least she wanted us to think it was.
“Any questions?” the diva asked the journalists after finishing the song.
The musical statement was clearly meant to stave off questions about her prerecorded performance at President Obama’s inauguration last month in which she lip-synced the national anthem.
The press conference in New Orleans was her first appearance since she ignited a firestorm with her performance, which embarrassed Obama and Sen. Charles Schumer, who organized the inauguration.
After finishing her — probably — live performance yesterday, Beyoncé finally told her side of the inauguration story.
She said she had feared the day’s cold weather and didn’t have time to rehearse with the Marine Corps Band.
“I am a perfectionist. And one thing about me, I practice until my feet bleed,” Beyoncé told reporters.
“And due to the weather, due to the delay, due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable taking a risk.
“I always sing live. The inauguration was unfortunately a time when I didn’t have time to rehearse with the orchestra, because I was rehearsing for the Super Bowl. I’m very proud of my performance.”
The pop queen will perform at Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show. Alicia Keys will sing the anthem.
Beyoncé promised not to bring her Milli Vanilli routine to the big game.
“I will absolutely be singing live,” she insisted. “This is what I was born to do.”