Beyonce reportedly lip-synced her way through the national anthem during President Obama's inauguration ceremony Monday.
What people heard was a pre-recorded studio track of her singing the "Star-Spangled Banner," The Times, TMZ and CNN confirmed. Before Monday's event, this photo on Beyonce's Instagram account showed her in what appears to be a recording studio.
Mashable received this statement from Marine Corps. media officer Eric Flanagan:
The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) requested that the Marine Band accompany Beyonce Knowles-Carter in the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony. However, there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event. 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. Regarding Ms. Knowles-Carter's vocal performance, no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded.
Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor also performed during the inauguration, and TMZ's source with the U.S. Marine Band says Clarkson sang live.
Watch Beyonce perform the national anthem below: