Beyoncé's performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" at President Obama's second inauguration was fabulous, but it may have been pre-fabricated. According to The London Times, she lip-synched to a pre-recorded track at the ceremony.
Judging by a photo posted to the singer's Instagram, she apparently recorded the track used at the inauguration with the Marine Corps Bands at a studio the night before the event.
It is actually common for musicians to pre-record their performance as a precaution before inaugural events, and it's more to do with making sure that things go off without a hitch than for covering up someone's flaws as a performer. In 2009, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman had to use a pre-recorded track due to bitter cold weather and strong winds. It is unclear why Beyoncé would use a recording while Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor, who also sang at the inauguration, did not.
