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Beyoncé is said to have a list of specific requirements for every venue on her Mrs. Carter world tour and her mandate includes alkaline water, new toilet seats and bizarrely red toilet paper, according to reports.
Beyoncé, 31, has also requested that all her crew members wear 100% cotton, her water is chilled to 21 degrees and served through $900 titanium straws and she has access to hand carved ice balls after every show to cool her throat, The Daily Star claims.
Beyoncé is said to have a list of specific requirements for every venue on her Mrs. Carter world tour
The details of Beyoncé’s rider comes after it was claimed the singer demanded the largest changing rooms at the O2 Arena in London, UK, space which is usually reserved for sports teams.
Despite being the first performer to be offered the use of the O2’s newly refurbished rooms, Beyoncé opted for the larger set which are in a quieter part of the arena.
“The new dressing rooms are superb – it’s like you’ve stepped into a luxury apartment. But she surprised everyone by turning them down, going for the larger ones that are used by sports teams when they play at the O2,” revealed the source.
“They are much bigger though, and she was given free rein to refurbish them to her own taste. They’re also in a quieter part of the backstage area, which gives her a better atmosphere to get focused for her shows.”
Even though Beyoncé’s only there for a few nights, she has reportedly brought in her own curtains, sofas and rugs to make herself feel at home.
And instead of staying in London during her six nights of shows, Beyoncé is holed up in Berkshire at a country hotel, along with husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy.
She opted not to copy Rihanna and catch the Tube to the arena for her sell-out show, proving that she’s still a diva by hitching a ride on her own private helicopter.
It’s not unusual for stars to have unusual demands when on tour.
Beyoncé’s last date at the London’s O2 Arena is Sunday, May 5th.
Lady Gaga reportedly asked for a mannequin with puffy pink public hair, Madonna is said to have requested her own furniture installed in every changing room in the past.
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Beyonce has banned professional photographers from her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in an apparent attempt to prevent the release of unflattering pictures after Super Bowl experience.
No photo credentials are to be granted for her concerts, Beyonce’s UK publicist has confirmed, and instead she’s hired her own snapper, Frank Micelotta, to capture her in action – and her best angles.
Fstoppers.com revealed Beyonce’s company Parkwood Entertainment is giving out three to five pre-approved images shot to media after the show.
The photography ban comes after it was widely reported back in February the singer’s publicist had asked agencies or websites to remove “unflattering” photos of Beyonce during the energetic performance at the Super Bowl.
However, bloggers fear that the move by Beyonce’s camp may backfire, with publications and websites instead buying in pictures from fans and amateurs.
“They thought by not letting photographers in, they will have full control over the photos shown in the media,” F-Stoppers blogger Noam Galai writes.
“Huge mistake. Now not only is the mainstream media showing unflattering photos of her, they are showing bad-quality unflattering photos of her.”
Noam Galai, a professional photographer, believes that “unflattering photographs published of the star at the Super Bowl were the result of pressure to get snaps of the event out quickly with no time for much sorting or retouching”.
Beyonce has banned professional photographers from her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in an apparent attempt to prevent the release of unflattering pictures after Super Bowl experience
He adds: “But in almost any other event, such as normal concerts, photographers have time to go through the images, get rid of the bad ones and send out the absolute best. Generally speaking, no one wants to post bad pictures.
“Banning professional photographers from all shows is simply stupid. Beyonce needs to use the media to her advantage, not fight it. Playing games with the media will cause more harm than good.”
Meanwhile, a Beyonce-approved video has been released to fans and unsurprisingly, she looks great in every frame.
The singer shows off snippets of three songs, a glimpse at her various designer costumes and a look at some of the dance moves and sweeping spectacle of the whole show.
The video starts with Beyonce’s rising to the stage in her white Ralph & Russo one-piece to the opening beats of Run The World (Girls).
She shouted: “How y’all doing… I want you to put your fists up.”
After a few bars of the song, there is a brief shot of her controversial “nipples” gold bodysuit designed by The Blonds.
The short promo also features Beyonce in her red Alon Livne gown, a black fringed ensemble and back to the Ralph & Russo number.
Beyonce is then seen flying over the crowd on a rig in her navy blue catsuit Dennis Kolpodinos as she sings Love On Top.
During the 90-second clip, there is Beyonce’s signature wind machine blowing her hair off her face and lots of wide shots to include the audience.
She ends the video by slowing the pace down for Halo, which sees snippets of her outfits, ending with Beyonce in the blue catsuit sitting with her eyes closed on stage.
Beyonce’s tour kicked off in Serbia on April 15 and is set to resume in Paris on Wednesday night.
The 65-gig tour comes to the UK on Friday and will arrive in the U.S. in June.
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Mitch Winehouse, father of late singer Amy Winehouse, has been left unimpressed by the version of her song Back To Black recorded by Beyoncé for new film The Great Gatsby.
“I don’t think she brings anything to it,” he said.
He added: “I wasn’t asked for my permission if they could record it.”
Mitch Winehouse has now agreed to its use, but said: “They have got to pay for the privilege, which is what they are doing. I can’t tell you how much it is but it’s a lot of money.”
Amy Winehouse’s father has been working on a follow-up to the hit album Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which was released after the singer’s untimely death at 27 in 2011.
Beyoncé covers Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black in new Great Gatsby
The album will feature some of Amy Winehouse’s very early work and profits will go towards the Amy Winehouse Foundation, a charity set up to help youngsters with addiction problems.
The new collection is expected to be released via Island Records with some input from producer Mark Ronson, who worked with Amy Winehouse.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé’s rapper husband Jay-Z – real name Shawn Carter – presented her with a diamond-encrusted champagne bottle to celebrate the first night of her Mrs. Carter World Tour in Serbia last week.
“He shelled out thousands on having a jeroboam of plush Armand de Brignac champagne sent over to her hotel, with the words <<Mrs. Carter>> emblazoned on it in diamonds,” said a mole backstage on the mammoth worldwide tour.
“He went to great lengths to get it done.”]
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Beyoncé shows off her incredible figure in the new H&M Summer campaign, wearing a variety of tiny two-pieces.
Beyoncé, 31, displays her washboard abs and hourglass figure as she smoulders for the camera in the new shots.
From a yellow halterneck bikini to a black fringed number and a tie-dye two-piece, the singer looks picture perfect in every image, shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.
Beyoncé shows off her incredible bikini body in the new H&M Summer campaign
Beyoncé said of the campaign: “I’ve always liked H&M’s focus on fun and affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements – fire, water, earth and wind.
“It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial.”
Donald Schneider, Creative Director of H&M, said: “H&M’s summer campaign starring Beyoncé is an epic fantasy, with glamour, drama and also a sense of paradise.
“It was amazing to watch her on the shoot make it all look effortless – a quality that makes her such an icon for women around the world. The campaign is the essence of Beyoncé, and also the essence of H&M this summer.”
Ann-Sofie Johansson, Head of Design for H&M, added: “In the campaign Beyoncé is wearing the key pieces from H&M you need for life in the sun this summer.
“There’s the perfect bodycon dress, as well as a flowing sun dress that makes a real statement. And of course there are the bikinis, especially the fringed bikini.
“What makes these pieces even more special is that Beyoncé herself had input into the design, and they are full of her own personal style.”
The images of Beyoncé, which will be featured on billboards and editorial adverts worldwide, see her billed as Mrs. Carter in H&M – referring to the star’s upcoming Mrs. Carter world tour.
The new H&M campaign will hit stores and online from May, and features swimwear and beachwear pieces as well as a tie-dye bikini from the H&M for Water collection.
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Jay-Z has defended his trip to Cuba with his wife Beyonce in a new song titled Open Letter.
Jay-Z released Open Letter after two US politicians asked about the famous couple’s visit to the island.
The government officials from Florida asked if Jay-Z and Beyonce’s visit was officially licensed.
US citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba as tourists but can obtain licences for academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange trips.
Jay-Z has defended his trip to Cuba with his wife Beyonce in a new song titled Open Letter.
On his new song, Jay-Z raps about his distaste for politicians and says: “Want to give me jail time and a fine, let me commit a real crime.”
Beyonce and Jay-Z are both supporters of President Barack Obama.
Jay-Z’s Open Letter raps: “Obama said, <<Chill, you gon’ get me impeached, you don’t need this (expletive) anyway, chill with me on the beach>>.”
“I done turned Havana into Atlanta… Boy from the hood, I got White House clearance.”
The White House said President Barack Obama did not personally approve Beyonce and Jay-Z’s trip to Cuba.
When asked about the lyrics, White House spokesman Jay Carney joked: “I guess nothing rhymes with treasury.”
“It’s a song. The president did not communicate with Jay-Z over this trip.”
US Treasury officials said Beyonce and Jay-Z’s trip to Cuba was licensed as a cultural exchange.
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Beyoncé reveals a platinum blonde hairdo to rival the lightened legends of the past Farrah Fawcett and Brigitte Bardot in a teaser for her new music video Grown Woman.
Beyoncé’s weave is cut into a choppy style with oodles of volume and a chunky fringe to frame her famous face.
Beyoncé reveals a platinum blonde hairdo in a teaser for her new music video Grown Woman
The bright blonde color helped bring out the deep pink of her lips, as did the sixties style, cream polo-neck top, that altogether, recreated a retro image of Brigitte Bardot in her heyday.
The vintage feel was continued, with Beyoncé putting her hair up into a bountiful beehive updo.
Pepsi features throughout the 12 second video as Beyoncé is currently the public face of the drinks brand in a number of TV commercials.
The singer wears the red, blue and white logo of the fizzy drink on custom-made bracelets on her right arm.
The advertisements gave Beyoncé the chance to share with the world her new single that has yet to be given a release date.
But despite being the first track of her new album Mrs. Carter, the title has already been used by another Destiny’s Child member.
Rowland released her own version of Grown Woman three years ago, but the song only peaked at number 51 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
With all the hype and build up surrounding Beyoncé’s track release, one can assume it will enjoy more commercial success than her best buddy’s 2010 offering.
The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour will begin on April 15 in Europe.
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Two US lawmakers from Florida are demanding to know if the government sanctioned Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s vacation to Cuba.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart have contacted the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department, asking if Beyoncé and Jay-Z obtained the correct license to travel to Cuba.
Angered by pictures showing Beyoncé and Jay-Z flaunting their retreat to the communist country, the legislators are criticizing the couple for indirectly supporting the oppressive regime of Raúl Castro by splashing as much as millions of dollars for luxurious accommodations for their entourage of family, friends and security.
A report in The Caribbean Journal said the two members of Congress have written to the director of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Two US lawmakers from Florida are demanding to know if the government sanctioned Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s vacation to Cuba
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, who have openly criticized the repressive government in Cuba, are inquiring after the type of license Beyoncé and Jay-Z obtained to enter Cuba.
“We would like to respectfully request, within all applicable rules and guidelines, information regarding the type of license that Beyoncé and Jay-Z received, for what purpose, and who approved such travel,” the lawmakers stated in their letter.
“If these individuals were given people-to-people licenses, we would like to bring to your attention the Cuba Travel Advisory issued by OFAC on July 25, 2011 which states, <<OFAC only licenses People-to-People Groups that certify that all participants will have a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in Cuba>>,” they added.
According to a description of the license on the agency’s website: “OFAC does not authorize transactions related to activities that are primarily tourist-oriented, including self-directed educational activities that are intended only for personal enrichment.”
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s trip coincides with the news that a Cuban editor, Roberto Zurbano, was fired from his post at publishing house because of an article he wrote that claimed the country had a history of discriminating against blacks.
Roberto Zurbano had mentioned the discrimination in an op-ed piece for the New York Times, For Blacks in Cuba, the Revolution Hasn’t Begun, published on March 23.
On Friday, The Havana Times reported that Roberto Zurbano told his colleagues that he had been dismissed from the publishing house of the Casa de las Americas cultural center, in the wake of the article.
Pictures showing Beyoncé and Jay-Z sauntering down a street in Havana, Cuba and taking in the island’s nightlife have sparked outrage among activists appalled that the couple could vacation in a country known for its oppressive regime.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z took a jaunt to Cuba this week to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary but many wonder why they decided on a place known for extreme poverty and repression of political dissidents.
On Friday, the couple were pictured at the University of Arts in Havana and posed for pictures with students.
It was not reported if Beyoncé and Jay-Z participated in any classes nor were details provided about the visit.
Beyoncé, 31, even sang, though she was technically lip synching, the national anthem at Barack Obama’s 2013 inauguration and for his 2009 inauguration she sang while the president danced with First Lady Michelle Obama at a ball during the celebration.
Since the jet-setters have politically tied themselves to the 44th president and could literally select any location in the world to travel, why would they decide on such a controversial destination?
The US State Department classifies Cuba as “an authoritarian state that routinely employs repressive methods against internal dissent” and does not have diplomatic relations with the government, now lead by Fidel Castro’s brother Raúl.
The vacation has left one human rights activist in a state of disbelief.
“There are women getting beaten on a daily basis, women who are jailed for no reason…people are fighting for their freedom. It’s extremely insensitive,” Mauricio Claver-Carone, from the U.S.- Cuban Democracy Political Action Committee, told TMZ.
Washington’s 51-year embargo makes it illegal for US citizens to visit Cuba for mere tourism, although tens of thousands of Americans travel there each year on academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange visas.
The Obama administration eased many of the restrictions in 2011, but tourists still need a special visa to visit Cuba.
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Beyonce lends her voice to the character of Queen Tara in the upcoming animated film Epic.
In a newly released poster, Queen Tara is seen with her tresses tied up in an elegant high ponytail style, which twists at the front, revealing the high neck of her lime green gown featuring cut out detail around the bust.
The colors in the picture are reminiscent of Beyonce’s look at the BET Awards in July 2012 where she wore a similar hue dress.
From the creators of Ice Age and Rio, Epic tells the story of an ongoing battle between the forces of good, who keep the natural world alive, and the forces of evil, who wish to destroy it.
Beyonce lends her voice to the character of Queen Tara in the upcoming animated film Epic
When a teenage girl (Amanda Seyfried) finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she teams up with an elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures, to save their world…and ours.
Meanwhile, much life her Sasha Fierce stage alter ego, Beyonce’s character is beautiful, agile and strong, “the life force of the forest, which she presides over with respect, compassion and humor” according to the movie’s website.
When Queen Tara finds herself in danger, her unique connection with nature gives her powerful allies. And when all hope seems lost, she summons help from the most surprising of places.
Epic stars Colin Farrell, Josh Hutcherson and Christoph Waltz.
Beyonce has appeared in many films since 2001’s Carmen: A Hip Hopera, is her first animated flick.
Other notable parts include her characters Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers in Goldmember and Deena Jones in Dream Girls.
Epic will be released in the US in May.
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Beyoncé has been unveiled as the new face of H&M.
Beyoncé is seen wearing a cream shirt and pair of patterned shorts while reclining on a sun-lounger in the pictures, shot in the Bahamas in January.
With a flower in her hair, and black and orange floral heels, Beyoncé looks every inch the summer covergirl in the shots, taken by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.
Beyoncé completes her look with gold hoop earrings and stacked bangles, topped off with a slick of red lipstick and matching nail varnish.
As well as posing up for the campaign, which has also seen Beyoncé create a track called Standing On The Sun for the accompanying video directed by Jonas Akerlund, the singer also had a hand in helping design the new collection.
Items in the range include “the perfect body-con dress” and various colorful swimwear options.
Beyoncé has been unveiled as the new face of H&M
Rumors began that Beyoncé was set to be unveiled as the new face of H&M when she was spotted shooting the campaign earlier this year.
The speculation was further fuelled when Beyoncé’s dancer Kimberley Gipson wrote on Twitter: “First day of trial in the Bahamas! H&M all set … go.”
Then she deleted the post.
Beyoncé commented on the shoot: “It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island.
“It felt more like making a video than a commercial.”
The images of the star, which will be featured on billboards and editorial adverts worldwide, see her billed as Beyoncé as Mrs. Carter in H&M – referring to the star’s upcoming Mrs. Carter world tour.
The new H&M campaign will hit stores and online from May.
Beyoncé released a recording entitled Bow Down / I Been On, along with a picture of herself as a child with a room full of trophies behind her.
Beyoncé, 31, posted a snippet of her new music to her website.
And the lyrics include the lines: “I know when you were little girls you dreamt of being in my world. Don’t forget it. Respect that. Bow Down b******.”
The 3 minute 34 second clip also includes: “I took my time to live my life but don’t think I’m just his little wife. Don’t get it twisted this is my sh*t.”
The music is actually sections from two different songs, Bow Down is said to have been produced by Hit-Boy and Beyoncé is said to have worked with Timbaland on I Been On.
While the braggadocios new track addresses her absence from the music industry and asserts her authority as Queen Bee of the charts, the content of the music is already causing controversy and dividing fans – and her fellow musicians.
Keyshia Cole unleashed a Twitter tirade against Beyoncé: “Can’t stand when people all self righteous when it’s convenient it makes them look good. Lmao! But can still talk s*** when convenient 2 FOH.”
After apparently receiving a backlash from Beyonce’s fans, Keyshia Cole added: “I done kept it real from the start! #RespectTHAT.”
And the R&B star was far from finished. She went on: “First <<Women need to Stick together>> now b****** better Bow. Smh. But it’s all G! Chicks stay shooting the s***. But when I speak my mind its a prob. #Well #StayMad.”
Beyoncé released new track Bow Down, along with a picture of herself as a child
Bow Down lyrics“I know when you were little girls
You dreamt of being in my world
Don’t forget it, don’t forget it
Respect that, bow down b******
I took some time to live my life
But don’t think I’m just his little wife
Don’t get it twisted, get it twisted
This my shit, bow down b******”
“Bow down b******, bow bow down b******
Bow down b******, bow bow down b******”
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Beyoncé has opened up about her struggle to lose weight after pregnancy.
The singer has revealed she gained 57 lbs while carrying her daughter Blue Ivy, who was born in January 2012.
Beyoncé, 31, also said she regrets putting herself under pressure to get back in shape so quickly after the birth.
“I didn’t have a lot of time to lose the weight because I scheduled a show three months after I gave birth, which I would never do again!” Beyoncé tells Shape magazine.
In a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the interview, Beyoncé adds: “I’m not a person that is naturally very thin. I am a person that has to work at keeping my body in shape.”
But the singer insists women should embrace their differences and focus on health rather than the scales
“Not everyone is supposed to be the same. Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you, you,” she says.
Beyoncé was able to shed the excess weight doing a lot of cardio dance workouts, which got her moving and sweating.
Beyonce appears on the latest issue of Shape magazine
She revealed to Shape magazine that 80% of her post-baby weight loss was due to cutting back on food including her favorite, pasta.“I ate a very low-calorie diet. I stayed away from red meat and ate a lot of fish, replaced pasta and rice with quinoa,” Beyoncé said.
“I always have breakfast, say, scrambled egg whites, a vegetable smoothie, or whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk. For lunch and dinner, I eat a lot of fish and vegetables. And throughout the day, I try to stay hydrated.
“I always treat myself to one meal on Sundays when I can have whatever I want. Usually it’s pizza, which is my favorite indulgence.”
Beyoncé poses in a color-block Karla Colletto bikini for the cover, and wears a bright yellow short-cropped top and floral shorts in one of the inside pictures.
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Celebrities including Beyonce and Jay-Z have had private details of their finances posted online.
Hackers have also put up information, but not credit reports, about US Vice-President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Los Angeles police say they are investigating how a police chief’s private details, including his address and a credit report, ended up online.
Police Cmdr. Andrew Smith described the site as “creepy”.
He said: “People get mad at us, go on the Internet and try to find information about us, and post it all on one site.
“The best word I can use to describe it is creepy.”
Andrew Smith also confirmed that police would be investigating the posting of information about any celebrities living in Los Angeles.
Other affected people include Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.
Celebrities including Beyonce and Jay-Z have had private details of their finances posted online
Some of the private financial information posted includes social security numbers, which could allow fraudsters to commit identity theft.
Actors Mel Gibson and Ashton Kutcher are also reported to have been targeted on the site.
Information about FBI Director Robert Mueller is thought to have been uploaded. The bureau says it is aware of the site but has not revealed whether they will be investigating.
More names were added throughout Monday, including Britney Spears and former presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
The website uses an internet suffix assigned to the Soviet Union and includes some unflattering pictures of the people who are mentioned.
It did not state how it sourced the information but did include an anti-police message written in Russian.
One of the site’s pages also made reference to the former police officer Christopher Dorner who apparently committed suicide during a large scale manhunt, after he killed four people.
So far representatives for each person targeted either declined to comment on the accuracy of the information that was posted, or they did not return messages seeking comment.
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Beyonce has decided to extend her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, adding three British dates.
Just hours after the biggest performance of her career at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on February 3, Beyonce announced on her website that she would be embarking on a world tour starting April 15.
Beyonce, 31, had been due to play eight English shows in April and May, but following popular demand when tickets went on pre-sale this morning, she has now added three more gigs to her tour.
Her previously-announced dates will remain the same.
Beyonce’s UK itinerary now includes appearances at London’s The O2 on 4 and 5 May, and the Manchester Arena on May 9.
This brings Beyonce’s total number of shows in London to six and Manchester to three.
Beyonce will also perform two gigs in Birmingham.
Beyonce has decided to extend her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, adding three British dates
Tickets for all 11 UK concerts go on general sale on Saturday, February 23.
The title of her globetrotting performances was first leaked on February 1.
The tour’s namesake, Mrs. Carter Show, is a nod to Beyonce’s husband Jay-Z – whose real name is Shawn Carter.
It is rumored that Jay-Z might make a few surprise appearances on stage with his wife for the highly anticipated shows.
The tour is set to be kicked off in Belgrade, Serbia on April 15 and the European leg comes to an end in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 29.
Beyonce will then take a month’s break before returning to the stage at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on June 28.
The singer will end the tour on August 3 in her spouse’s hometown of Brooklyn, New York.
The final show will take place at the newly-built Barclay’s Centre, which Beyonce owns a share of.
The tour farewell performance will not only be sentimental for her husband but for Beyonce as well.
It will be a true homecoming for the mother-of-one, who along with Jay-Z rents out a basement suite at the Barclay for $1 million per year.
Beyonce appears to have found joy again after the painful miscarriage she suffered two years ago with daughter Blue Ivy in a leaked image from HBO documentary Life Is But A Dream, which is set to air on Saturday night.
Beyonce is shown gazing lovingly at the one-year-old baby girl, who turned one-year-old on January 7.
In the image from the film, Beyonce, 31, looks bare-faced and glowing, her signature blonde mane styled in tight braids.
Beyonce can be seen looking tenderly at her little tyke, who looks adorable with her brown curls and doe-eyed expression.
Life Is But A Dream, which Beyonce co-directed, is part of a return to performing after a year off since Blue Ivy was born.
The documentary offers an insider’s look at Beyonce’s career and family life. Part of the film shows footage of a sonogram, Beyonce’s growing bump and grainy video of the singer posing nude as she neared her due date.
Beyonce also opens up about the miscarriage kept secret from the public until Jay-Z referred to it in his song Glory, released after their daughter’s birth.
Beyonce appears to have found joy again after the painful miscarriage she suffered two years ago with daughter Blue Ivy in a leaked image from HBO documentary Life Is But A Dream
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Beyonce sat down with Oprah Winfrey for Oprah’s Next Chapter, revealing how she’s mended the relationship with her father.
A 30-second clip of the interview released by Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network shows Beyonce and the media mogul smiling as they sit down and appear to share an “Aha!” moment.
Beyonce severed her professional relationship with her father in 2011, while rumors of family tension ravaged headlines.
Two years later, Beyonce is opening up about “letting go” of her father and former manager, Mathew Knowles, in a candid new interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The energy becomes more serious as the television host questions her once fractious relationship with her father.
“Talk some about letting your father go as your manager,” Oprah Winfrey asks, the clip cutting to Beyonce nodding as she contemplates a question.
Mathew Knowles, and Beyonce’s mother Tina, played a pivotal role in the singer’s career.
He quit his job as a medical equipment salesman to manage Beyonce’s early group, Girl’s Tyme, which eventually morphed into Destiny’s Child in 1990.
Twenty-one years later, in 2011, she ended their professional relationship, while relaying that their personal relationship remained full “of love”.
Rumors circulated about more going on behind-the-scenes than Beyonce let on as Mathew and Tina Knowles headed for divorce.
Ties were after all not easy to sever with Mathew Knowles having producer credits on many of his daughter’s projects and serving as the founder of Music World Entertainment, a label that, through Columbia Records, has released albums by Beyoncé, sister Solange Knowles, Sunshine Anderson, and former Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
Beyonce sat down with Oprah Winfrey for Oprah’s Next Chapter, revealing how she’s mended the relationship with her father
Beyoncé has only spoken briefly in the past about the pair’s relationship.
“It took a while for me and my dad to have an understanding,” she once said.
“When I turned 18 and started handling my business more, he went into shock. And we had our issues. I’d say <<No>> to something, and he’d book it anyway.
“Then I’d have to do it because I’d look bad [if I didn’t]. We would fight sometimes, and it took about two years, to when I was 20, for him to realize, <<Oh, she is an adult now, and if she doesn’t wanna do something, I can’t make her do it>>.”
Beyonce and Oprah Winfrey will also apparently touch on the miscarriage the singer kept private for years, her husband, Jay-Z, and their baby daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
The couple married in 2008 but have been notoriously tight-lipped about their relationship.
Since the birth of their first child in January 2012, Beyonce has slowly opened up about her home life.
In a more light-hearted moment, Oprah Winfrey asks: “When you get to the point when you can say, on camera, <<I’m going to make love to my husband… How big is the Carter family going to expand to?”
Beyonce laughs.
“Lord, I’m gonna have me a time,” she says in another clip as the video cuts to the next question.
They also talked about Beyonce’s new HBO documentary, Life Is But A Dream.
The film, which Beyonce co-directed, is part of a return to performing after a year off since Blue Ivy was born.
The HBO film shows footage of a sonogram, Beyonce’s growing bump and grainy video of herself posing nude as she neared her due date.
She also opens up about the miscarriage kept secret from the public until Jay-Z referred to it in his song Glory, released after their daughter’s birth.
In the documentary, Beyonce touched on the topic briefly, saying: “It was the saddest thing I’ve ever been through.”
“My life is a journey. … I had to go through my miscarriage, I believe I had to go through owning my company and managing myself … ultimately your independence comes from knowing who you are and you being happy with yourself,” she said.
Beyonce has also announced a new album for this year.
The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour – Jay-Z’s real name is Shawn Carter – will kick off in April with more than 40 performances in Europe and North America.
Life is But a Dream airs on HBO on Saturday, the same day as Beyonce’s interview with Oprah Winfrey on the OWN cable channel.
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Donald Trump slammed Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance as “ridiculous” and “inappropriate”.
Appearing on the Howard Stern Show, Donald Trump, 66, said Beyonce was too “suggestive” for a national audience.
“When Beyonce was thrusting her hips forward in a very suggestive manner, if someone else would have done that it would have been a national scandal,” Donald Trump said.
“I thought it was ridiculous … I thought it was not appropriate.”
Beyonce’s performance was heavily praised by music critics, despite the unflattering photographs that emerged afterwards of her making particularly aggressive faces while she danced.
Donald Trump said he thought it was strange that no one else has criticized her for her scandalous dance moves.
“There’s been no mention of it,” the media mogul said.
“So obviously, it must not have been so bad. She gets a pass.”
Donald Trump slammed Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance as ridiculous and inappropriate
Donald Trump isn’t shy about making his opinions known on other celebrities and well-known personalities.
His targets in the past have included actress Kristen Stewart and Huffington Post President Arianna Huffington.
“Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart,” Donald Trump wrote on Twitter in October.
“She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again – just watch. He can do much better!”
Donald Trump called Arianna Huffington “unattractive inside and out”.
“I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man – he made a good decision,” Donald Trump wrote on Twitter in August.
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Beyonce appears to be the March cover of Vogue magazine as an image showing the star was leaked online.
In an image apparently leaked by BeyonceLite, a fan Twitter account, Beyonce strikes an elegant pose in a black-and-white ensemble.
The strapline on the cover reads: “Queen B! Beyonce Rules the World.”
Beyonce, 31, looks stunning in the glossy photo, with nude lips, cat-eye makeup and a flawless complexion.
But for a woman so famed for her body, it seems strange to crop the image just below the bust.
Another leaked photo on the fan site shows what appears to be part of a Beyonce spread.
Beyonce appears to be the March cover of Vogue magazine as an image showing the star was leaked online
On one page the star wears what looks to be red velvet lingerie and a matching bathrobe, finally offering a glimpse of that incredible figure.
On the opposite page she leans forward on a wooden chair wearing a white floaty top.
The images have been leaked days after several other never-before-seen photos came to the attention of Beyonce fans.
In these shots, the singer strikes a regal pose in thigh-high red boots, a gold corset and a blue robe.
While some believed they were a first look at a rumored Vogue shoot, they turned out to be promotional shots for her Mrs. Carter world tour.
An “unflattering” picture of Beyoncé performing at the Super Bowl’s halftime show has transformed into a meme rivaling McKayla Maroney’s now-iconic “Not Impressed” scowl.
After Beyoncé’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, emailed Buzzfeed earlier this week to ask that the site “respectfully change” several images of her client to “some better photos” from the halftime show, her attempt backfired in epic proportions.
Buzzfeed published the email, and in the Internet phenomenon known as the Streisand Effect, one image in particular circulated so virulently it became an instant meme.
The original seven images that Yvette Noel-Schure asked Buzzfeed to remove were included in a list of “The 33 Fiercest Moments From Beyoncé’s Halftime Show”.
Yvette Noel-Schure wrote: “As discussed, there are some unflattering photos on your current feed that we are respectfully asking you to change.
“I am certain you will be able to find some better photos. The worst are #5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 19 and 22.”
Since the email became public on Monday, internet users have been trying to come up with ways to make Beyoncé’s “unflattering” facial expressions even more unflattering via Reddit and other social media platforms.
An “unflattering” picture of Beyoncé performing at the Super Bowl’s halftime show has transformed into a meme
So far, Beyoncé has been turned into a bloody zombie, a “She Hulk”, Conan’s wife, and an Olympic weightlifter.
More creative types have created GIFs dedicated to her “fierce” poses.
One in particular shows Beyoncé’s limbs contracting into her torso, before she shoots off like a turtle with a rocket launcher attached to her leather bodysuit.
And another puts dumbbells in Beyoncé’s hands, reinventing her as a bodybuilder.
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Beyoncé’s half-time performance at this year Super Bowl failed to pull in more viewers than Madonna’s record breaking 2012 appearance.
In fact, fewer people watched Sunday night’s thrilling Super Bowl than the previous two championship games, according to figures released on Tuesday.
Although Beyoncé, who prepared for five months for the hotly anticipated gig, reunited Destiny’s Child and sung live, viewing figures showed the 31-year-old was watched by 104 million viewers, compared to Madonna’s audience of 112.5 million.
Nielsen, a company that tracks the ratings, reported the actual game drew 108.4 million viewers, which is a drop from last season’s tally of 111.3 million viewers.
Madonna’s performance in 2012, which sparked controversy after M.I.A swore at cameras, was criticized on Twitter but its lavish nature – the slot featured CeeLo Green, Nicki Minaj and LMFAO – meant the show was certainly noticed.
Nearly half of all households that own a television were tuned into Sunday’s game, the company added.
The showdown, where the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers, scored a 46.3 rating and 69 share in its overnight ratings.
For the Nielsen measurement, one ratings point represents 1,147,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation’s estimated 114.7 million TV homes.
The share means that 71% of TVs that were on at the time were tuned to the Super Bowl.
At CBS’ request the ratings figure from Sunday night did not include a 30-minute period when there was a partial power outage in the Superdome.
But viewership actually increased after the power outage, as the game measured a 52.9 rating during its final moments, CBS noted.
Beyoncé’s half-time performance at this year Super Bowl failed to pull in more viewers than Madonna’s record breaking 2012 appearance
Not surprisingly, Baltimore ranked first among cities watching the championship game.
The game drew a 59.6 rating and share of 83 there.
In second place was New Orleans, where the game was played. The contest drew a 57.1 rating and a 77 share.
San Francisco did not rank in the top 10 cities for viewership.
The network also drew criticism by the Parents Television Council for not moving quickly enough to edit out a profanity said by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco shortly after the game.
Joe Flacco was caught by microphones describing his team’s victory as “f****** awesome”.
The game also illustrated the explosive growth of second screen activity.
The company Trendrr TV, which tracks activity on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks, estimated there were 47.7 million social media posts during the game.
That compares to 17 million during the 2012 Super Bowl and just 3 million the year before that.
Last year’s Super Bowl, when the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots, drew a Nielsen rating of 47.8 and had a share of 71.
The only non-Super Bowl to have reached the 100-million viewer benchmark was the series finale of MASH in 1983.
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Beyonce formally announced the tour dates for her Mrs. Carter Show world tour on her website Sunday night.
Beyonce will kick off in Belgrade on April 15 and make eight stops in the UK and Ireland between April 29 and May 7.
The singer will then take a month off between the European tour’s end in Stockholm on May 29 and resume at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 28.
In an ode to her husband Jay-Z – whose real name Shawn Carter inspired the name of the tour – Beyonce will end the tour on August 3 in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York.
Check out the full line up for Beyonce’s “Mrs. Carter Show” World Tour
The show will be at the newly built Barclay’s Center, which Jay-Z owns a share of and where the couple rent out a basement suite for $1million per year.
The title was first leaked on Friday when ticketing giant LiveNation accidentally posted a promotional poster for Beyonce’s not-yet-announced world tour on its UK site.
Beyonce formally announced the tour dates for her Mrs. Carter Show world tour on her website Sunday night
In the promotional image published Friday, Beyonce Knowles looks every bit the queen of pop with a billowing Victorian updo topped with a crown and golden royal-looking garb.
The snap appears to be part of a royal theme for her performances, which was also used as the story line for an O2 advert released last week that promoted the UK leg of her tour.
Beyonce, who celebrated her daughter’s first birthday on January 7, had been keeping mum on any plans to return on tour until last week at an NFL press conference.
Instead, she was joined by her former Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams – as well as a couple of holograms of herself.
“I may have an announcement after the performance,” she said Thursday.
“Fans should just stay tuned to see.”
The tour’s name has also fuelled speculation that Beyonce and Jay-Z might perform together, and there were even rumors the 43-year-old rap star would join his wife onstage when she performed during this Sunday’s half-time show.
Beyonce took to the stage at Sunday’s Super Bowl with trademark style, with an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular greatest hits set for the half time show, which culminated in her being joined on stage by Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
Beyonce, 31, sported a plunging leather Rubin Singer corset and skirt which she stripped off to reveal a lace underlay during a slick, energetic show packed with special effects at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
However, her show may have taken up a large amount of electricity, with the power in the stadium going out shortly after the 14 minute set.
Beyonce emerged onstage singing lines from her R&B hit Love on Top under a giant lit up silhouette of herself, with a group of fans running on to the field to watch next to the lit up stage in the shape of two facing profiles of the singer.
Black over-the-knee socks over fishnet tights and high heeled ankle boots completed Beyonce’s sexy outfit designed by little known New York based Rubin Singer.
The stage was dark while fire and lights burst from the sides as she began hit Crazy in Love, complete with a guitar flaming as it played out its solo.
The clearly pumped up star even blew a kiss to the crowd, before beginning her show in front of fireworks and light effects on video screens.
Beyonce’s spectacular performance provided an elaborate contrast to the on-field sporting action between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, with special effects including a light show, fireworks, and kaleidoscopic multiple video footage of the star.
Her background singers helped out as Beyonce danced around the stage throughout most of her performance.
Beyonce was joined on super Bowl 2013 stage by Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams
There was a backing track to help fill in when she wasn’t singing – and there were long stretches when she let it play as she performed elaborate dance moves with a swarm of background dancers and band members.
Beyonce performed a number of hits including End of Time, and Baby Boy before being joined by Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland who wore similar revealing black outfits.
Kelly Rowland sported a leather leotard with identical stockings and boots, while Michelle Williams sported a ultra short black miniskirt over her slinky leather number.
Michelle Williams had previously denied the band would reunite for the event, saying she had a prior commitment to appear in the musical Fela.
So there was clear delight from the crowd when they took the stage, singing with the diva on their massive hits Bootylicious and Independent Woman, along with Beyonce’s smash hit Single Ladies.
However, the trio left out their more recent effort, the slow number Nuclear – the first new Destiny’s Child recording in eight years, which was released last month.
But after the show, there were rumblings from critics and fans that Kelly and Michelle’s vocals were unable to be heard over Beyonce’s.
To close the 14-minute set, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland left Beyonce to perform emotional show-stopper Halo.
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UK ticketing giant Live Nation’s site put up a promotional poster for Beyonce’s not-yet-announced world tour dubbed “The Mrs. Carter Show”.
In the promotional image published Friday, Beyonce Knowles looks every bit the queen of pop with a billowing Victorian updo topped with a crown and golden royal-looking garb.
“I may have an announcement after the performance,” Beyonce said regarding touring plans at Thursday’s Super Bowl press conference.
“Fans should just stay tuned to see.”
The tour’s name is a direct reference to Beyonce’s husband Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, and it fuels speculation that the couple might perform together.
There were already rumors the 43-year-old rap star would join Beyonce onstage when she performs during this Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVII half-time show.
In the past, the music power couple have collaborated on several tracks, including 03 Bonnie & Clyde, Crazy In Love, and Déjà Vu.
An estimated 111.3 million people tuned into last year’s Super Bowl, which featured a Cleopatra-style Madonna Voguing her way through a medley of hits.
Live Nation’s site put up a promotional poster for Beyonce’s not-yet-announced world tour dubbed “The Mrs. Carter Show”
The last time Beyonce hit the road was her I Am… Tour, which grossed $119.5 million in 2009.
Beyonce’s Destiny’s Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, are also rumored to be joining her onstage.
The girl-group trio just released their first single in eight years, Nuclear, on their compilation Love Songs.
Speaking of album releases, Beyonce is said to have already recorded 50 songs while working on her follow-up album to 4.
Beyonce has admitted miming during her performance of the American national anthem at the inauguration of President Barack Obama last month.
Beyonce told reporters that she was a “perfectionist” and – due to lack of rehearsal time – “did not feel comfortable taking a risk”.
“I wanted to make him [Barack Obama] and my country proud, so I decided to sing along with my pre-recorded track.”
“I’m very proud of my performance,” she said.
Beyonce opened the press conference in New Orleans by asking reporters to stand before performing a live rendition of the national anthem.
Millions of people tuned in to watch President Barack Obama sworn in for his second term in office on January 21, which included performances by James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce.
Her performance of the Star Spangled Banner at the inauguration was considered one of the highlights of the ceremony, but later reports suggested the singer had recorded her vocal.
“I am a perfectionist and one thing about me is that I practise until my feet bleed and I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra,” Beyonce said on Thursday.
Beyonce has admitted miming during her performance of the American national anthem at the inauguration of President Barack Obama last month
She said her decision to mime the track was triggered by the weather, delays and “no proper soundcheck”, adding that pre-recording is “very common in the music industry”.
“It was a live television show and a very, very important emotional show for me and one of my proudest moments,” she said.
However, Beyonce insisted she would be singing live for her half-time Super Bowl performance on Sunday – one of the most-watched TV events in the United States.
“I will absolutely be singing live. This is what I was born to do, it is what I was born for.”
The National Football League also announced that singer Jennifer Hudson would be performing America the Beautiful with the chorus from Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 children and six adults were killed in a mass shooting in December.
Last year’s Super Bowl half-time show, performed by Madonna, was watched by an average of 114 million viewers, while Janet Jackson’s notorious “wardrobe malfunction” – in 2004 – generated a record number of complaints for broadcaster CBS.
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Beyonce has opened up about her heartbreaking miscarriage for the first time in her upcoming HBO documentary, Life Is But a Dream.
Beyonce, 31, suffered the loss several years before the birth of her daughter Blue Ivy Carter in January 2012.
“About two years ago, I was pregnant for the first time,” Beyonce says in a preview.
“And I heard the heartbeat, which was the most beautiful music I ever heard in my life.”
“I picked out names,” the singer recalls.
“I envisioned what my child would look like… I was feeling very maternal.”
Beyonce lost the child in the early stages of her pregnancy.
“I flew back to New York to get my check up – and no heartbeat,” she says.
“Literally the week before I went to the doctor, everything was fine, but there was no heartbeat.”
Beyonce, who married Jay-Z in April 2008, turned to music to help her get through her pain.
“I went into the studio and wrote the saddest song I’ve ever written in my life,” she says, but doesn’t name the track.
“And it was actually the first song I wrote for my album.
“And it was the best form of therapy for me, because it was the saddest thing I’ve ever been through.”
Jay-Z first referenced the loss in Glory, a track recorded within days of Blue Ivy’s birth in January 2012.
Beyonce has opened up about her heartbreaking miscarriage for the first time in her upcoming HBO documentary, Life Is But a Dream
Beyonce was thrilled when she discovered she was expecting Blue Ivy and found it hard to keep the news to herself to begin with.
“Being pregnant was very much like falling in love. You are so open. You are so overjoyed.
“There’s no words that can express having a baby growing inside of you, so of course you want to scream it out and tell everyone.”
After cautiously keeping her second pregnancy a secret, Beyonce finally revealed her bump at MTV Video Music Awards in August 2011.
Beyonce famously rubbed her tummy during a performance of Love On Top and it went on to become the most-tweeted months of the year.
The documentary attempts to show the other, more vulnerable and human side of Beyonce.
In a previous clip, she says: “People see celebrities and they have money and fame, but I’m a human being.”
“I cry, I get scared, I get nervous just like everyone else.”
Beyonce shares tender and very candid moments from her pregnancy with Blue Ivy, showing her bare pregnant belly and even a sonogram of her unborn daughter.
Of course, Beyonce is now gearing up to perform at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.
Beyonce – who was criticized earlier this month for allegedly miming the American national anthem at President Barack Obama’s inauguration – is said to have been preparing to perform live since the end of October.
She is now feeling the pressure to wow the audience despite believing she did nothing wrong during her performance in Washington DC.
A source close to Beyonce said she was very disappointed and felt “a technicality which everybody does took away from the beauty of the moment”.
“She didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Pavarotti has done it! It was freezing out, and if she messed up just one note, that would have been the story.
“Everybody uses these tracks, and the music director advised it. Any big outdoor live performance is almost always with some kind of track.
“She did sing, but used a track.”
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Conflicting reports have emerged over whether Beyonce sang live the National Anthem at President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
A spokeswoman for the Marine Corp Band told The Times in a “last minute” decision, Beyonce opted to perform to a pre-recorded backing track.
However, the Marine Corp said “no-one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded”.
But it confirmed that the band itself was not playing live.
Millions of people tuned in to watch President Barack Obama be sworn in for his second term in office. The ceremony was punctuated by performances from James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson, as well as Beyonce, who sang the National Anthem.
When The Times reported that Beyonce had mimed, the story quickly travelled around the world.
The newspaper quoted a spokeswoman for the Marine Corp Band, Master Sergeant Kristin duBois, who said: “We pre-recorded all music as a matter of course and have done since time immemorial.
“This is our 54th inauguration… There is no question of there not being any music, it’s not because the performer cannot do it.”
However, the spokeswoman did not state outright that Beyonce mimed her part of the performance.
In a statement, the Marine Corp said: “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.”
Conflicting reports have emerged over whether Beyonce sang live the National Anthem at President Barack Obama’s inauguration
Some reports suggested Beyonce had pre-recorded her vocal in a studio at the Marine Barracks Annex on Sunday night.
They were drawing inferences from a series of images posted on Beyonce’s website over the weekend – one of which showed her in the studio holding the sheet music for the Star Spangled Banner.
If the claims turned out to be true, they would not be without precedent.
In 2008, American cellist Yo Yo Ma mimed his performance at President Barack Obama’s first inauguration, saying the freezing temperatures and wind might have affected his instrument live.
Celebrities and fans have been debating Beyonce’s performance.
Soul legend Aretha Franklin, who also performed at the 2008 ceremony, said the star did “a beautiful job”, even if she was miming.
“When I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed,” she told ABC News.
“I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather.
“But she did a beautiful job with the pre-record… Next time I’ll probably do the same.”
On Twitter, TV presenter Piers Morgan said: “Beyonce still SANG it, everyone. It was HER voice.”
Brooklyn band Prince Rama commented: “I actually think Beyonce lip-syncing the national anthem is one of the best conceptual art pieces I’ve seen in a long time.”
While Los Angeles musician Michael Anthony defended the star, saying: “It doesn’t even look like Beyonce was lip syncing at all.”
A blog post on the Washington Times website said: “Some Beyonce fans insist it looked real, especially when she ripped out her earpiece midway through the song.”
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