Washington (CNN) - An inaugural official who asked not to be identified told CNN Wednesday that pop star Beyoncé lip-synced her performance on Inauguration Day.
"She did not sing live," the official told CNN. A pre-recording of the artist's rendition of the National Anthem was played instead. What was heard by spectators and viewers was the sound of that recording, according to the official.
The official said Beyoncé made the decision herself the night before Inauguration Day.
Beyoncé arrived so late Sunday night she did not have time to rehearse with the U.S. Marine Band, which was asked to accompany the pop star's performance, according to the inauguration official.
"Because she didn't have time to rehearse with the Marine Band, she decided to use her recording with the Marine Band," the official added. "It was all Beyoncé."
The official was somewhat puzzled by Beyoncé's decision, noting when she made the pre-recording, "she was spot on."
She recorded her part separately from the band and her rendition was married with the band's music, the official said.
The taped performance should take nothing away from her skills as a live artist, the official said. "She's actually a very good live singer," the official added.
CNN has still not received comment from Beyoncé.
Everybody seems to be making excuses for her,well,why did the other entertainers manage to ply their trade and she didn't ?
I believe Mrs. Clinton put it best . . . "What difference, at this point, does it make?"
How did this blow up to become a major story? Cold air bad. Vocals 101, protect your pipes. No biggie people.
Simply pathetic. Would never pay to see her perform. What a fake.
What a surprise! Not. In an age of auto-tune, Bouncy and her hubs have always been deserving of each other. Neither can sing. It set a stage for four more years of a lip-syncing gang of political thieves.
"The taped performance should take nothing away from her skills as a live artist"
It did
Same stunt at the vanilla rapper did that time. She's a disgrace to stand up in front of the American people on a historic day like that and fake it. If she were a true professional she would have sang it live like the American people were tricked into believing was being done. No one can defend the fact that one word describes her performance, FAKE!
Why is this news? Everybody in the news lately has been a cheat and/or liar. Could we expect anything better from her or the the rest of the assembly of inaugural entertainment? Can't see what the big deal about her is. Just goes to prove that without a recording studio, most of these people cannot sing so she had to fake it.
It was fake like everything else at the event that day
The lady who made a "mistake" at the superbowl had far more courage than Beyonce–her deceit, however, fits right in with this administration! No one is surprised at the people who hang out with the Obama's.....these people are right who posted here...the country does not care ..they are getting complacent about the lies....
So do you guys feel the same with her amazing voice being taped when you spent $100 on a ticket for her concert?
It happens all the time you know. She and other "artist" are not above this at all. Today it's all style over substance.
Kelly Clarkson sang live......just saying. So was the band playing? I never saw if they were or not, imagine that if the camera cut away to the band while she was lip-synching and it just sat there....