Loving Beyonce Because She Does the Diva Thing the Right Way

Beyonce yesterday answered the critics who complained that she sort of lip synced the National Anthem at the Obama Inaugural a couple weeks back.

She's going to perform in the Super Bowl, and she was at one of those dog and pony show press conferences that lead up to the Big Game.

There she was, looking splendid and glowing like a good diva does, in a stunning white mini dress and flowing brown hair.

She explained, as many professionals already have, that performers typically sing along with a recorded track of themselves during live shows under iffy conditions, like during the cold, outdoor inaugural.

Of course, that she sang along to a track essentially lip syncing last time, does she have the chops to really sing, with no help.

She decided to answer that question at the press conference by singing the Star Spangled Banner a capella for the assembled scribes at the presser.

Well, she nailed it, doing a better job than at the inaugural. And like the best divas anywhere, she finished her command performance, looked at the reporters with a confident smile and said, "Any questions?"

Perfect. See for yourself with this clip from YouTube.

Beyonce: At Inauguration, Best "Star Spangled Banner" Since Whitney? Or Lip-Synced?

UPDATE: Reports are coming out now that Beyonce actually lip synced the whole thing. I feel bamboozled.

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Yes, I know this is not exactly the most important thing to come out of today's inauguration of President Obama, but: How about Beyonce!?!?!?

There are a handful of memorable performances of "The Star Spangled Banner," There are a few incredibly bad ones. Remember Rosanne Barr?

But people, myself included, prefer to remember the best ones. The benchmark seems to be Whitney Houston's famous performance at 1991 Super Bowl.

Now, Beyonce gives Houston a run for her money with what I thought was a huge, beautiful rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner." I think people will be talking about this for years, just like Whitney's performance still comes up from time to time.

I'm normally really cynical, and this is going to sound terribly hokey, but honestly, my heart flutters a bit and I can feel the emotions rising when somebody does an incredible job with the national anthem. Like Beyonce did today.

See and hear for yourself: Here's a video of Beyonce singing the national anthem at the inauguration today: