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A full-throated and extremely confident Lady Gaga performed the national anthem at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in a very Gaga way – with flamboyance, fashion and passion.
The Grammy winner wore a large dove pin and an impressive red sculpted skirt as she sang into a golden microphone, delivering a touching and powerful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” She was followed at Wednesday’s ceremony by Jennifer Lopez, dressed in white, with a touching mix of “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful,” tossing a line in Spanish.
And country star Garth Brooks, stripping off his black cowboy hat, sang a soulful, gospel-tinged a capella rendition of “Amazing Grace,” with his eyes closed for much of the song. He asked the audience to sing a verse with him: “Not just the people here, but the people at home, to work together.” As he left the podium, he put on his cowboy hat again, shook hands and hugged former President Barack Obama.
All three superstars were among a bevy of glittering celebrities descending on Washington – virtually or in person – to welcome the new administration of Biden and Kamala Harris, a popular duo in Hollywood, where former President Donald Trump was decidedly not.
But Brooks was careful to characterize his decision to perform on Wednesday as apolitical and in a spirit of unity. Brooks performed at Obama’s inaugural celebration in 2009, but turned down a chance to play for Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict.
Other high-level artists will be part of “Celebrating America”, a 90-minute evening broadcast on multiple networks hosted by Tom Hanks which replaces the usual official inaugural balls. “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda will contribute a classic recitation, joining musicians like Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake and Bon Jovi. Hosts Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria will be joined by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, chef Jose Andres, union leader Dolores Huerta and Kim Ng, the first female general manager in MLB history.
The inaugural committee made sure to mix this powerful list with ordinary Americans and inspirational stories. The segments will include tributes to a UPS driver, kindergarten teacher and Sandra Lindsay, the first in New York City to receive the COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial. The debates will be carried by ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC and PBS as well as through social media channels and the committee’s streaming partners.
There is also a virtual “Parade Across America” on the opening afternoon, hosted by actor Tony Goldwyn with appearances by Jon Stewart, Earth Wind & Fire and the New Radicals – reunited after more than two decades – among many others.
The history of celebrities performing at openings dates back to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third inauguration in 1941, when a gala celebration the day before saw performances of Irving Berlin, Mickey Rooney and Charlie Chaplin, explains Lina Mann. of the White House Historical Association. “Chaplin performed his monologue from ‘The Great Dictator,” Mann notes.
The celebrity component only increased over time, and one of the most famous inaugurations was that of John F. Kennedy in 1961. This celebration, hosted by Frank Sinatra, drew Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole , Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Kelly, Ethel Merman, Laurence Olivier, Sidney Poitier and other celebrities.
Fast forward to Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, where Aretha Franklin sang “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” during the swearing-in, and the new president and his wife, Michelle, were greeted by Beyoncé singing “Finally” at an inaugural ball.
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For full inauguration coverage, please visit: https://apnews.com/hub/biden-inauguration
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