Beyoncé Knowles held a press conference in New Orleans on Thursday where she talked about her highly anticipated Super Bowl half-time performance. But first, the singer addressed the elephant in the room.
When Beyonce walked on stage she asked the audience to rise, then proceeding to give an impeccable, LIVE acapella performance of the National Anthem. After she finished she asked the audience, simply, “Any questions?”
And questions the media indeed had! Knowles was drilled multiple times to explain what exactly happened at the Presidential Inauguration.
“I am a perfectionist and one thing about me, I practice until my feet bleed. I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra, it was a live television show," Knowles explained. "Due to the weather, due to the delay, due to no proper sound check I did not feel comfortable taking the risk."
"It was about the President and the Inauguration so I decided to sing along with the prerecorded track, which is very common in the music industry," continued Beyoncé. "I am very proud of my performance.”
omg! Insider’s Kevin Frazier asked the second question of the press conference, asking about rumors surrounding a Destiny’s Child reunion, which Beyonce would neither deny nor confirm, smiling widely.
“I can’t really give you any details, I’m sorry!” Knowles coyly responded. However, she did express her excitement about their recent reunion for Love Songs.
“We did a new song and it was so excited hearing us together again. I dropped on the floor like a teenager again when I heard us harmonize. It’s always such a pleasure to be around them professionally and personally.”
Beyoncé was then asked if she planned to sing live on Sunday or sing with a pre-recorded track like Madonna did last year.
“I will absolutely be singing live. I am well rehearsed and I will absolutely be singing live. It’s what I was born to do, what I was born for.” Added the superstar, “I’ve had a sixteen year career and all of the things I’ve done have prepared me for this. I’m ready.”
When pressed yet again about her decision to sing with a track at inauguration, Beyoncé said, “It was unfortunately a time where I could not rehearse because I was practicing for the Super Bowl.”
Knowles added that “it was always the plan” to sing with a backing track and clarified that “yes,” she did sing along with it.
The “Single Ladies” singer also touched on her very personal HBO documentary (out February 16).
“I feel like my daughter has changed me and changed my life and has given me so much purpose,” Knowles told the crowd. “I feel like this movie, it’s very necessary. It shows a human side. We are all human. I feel like at some point my job is to protect her and I’m happy I can tell my story on my terms.”
When her Super Bowl performance is finished Beyoncé, plans to relax with Blue Ivy Carter.
“I can’t wait,” smiled the singer. “I’m going to enjoy my daughter. I miss her, I have been working so hard.”
But it doesn't sound like the hard work is going to stop anytime soon.
“I may have an announcement after the performance and the fans should just stay tuned to see,” Beyoncé said mysteriously.
