Beyonce to Sing National Anthem at Obama Inauguration

Big honors for Beyoncé. Bey has been invited to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” at President Obama‘s second inauguration on January 21. As USA Today points out, James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson are also scheduled to perform. Taylor is set to perform a live version of “America the Beautiful,” whereas Clarkson will sing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” which has been sung by soul icon Aretha Franklin at Obama’s first inauguration in 2009. All the performances will take place on the Capitol steps during the public swearing-in ceremony, where Obama will deliver his second inaugural address.

The ceremony will take place just weeks before Beyoncé debuts her self-directed biographical documentary on HBO and performs during halftime at the Super Bowl. As we have seen in recent months, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were active supporters of Obama’s reelection campaign. The power couple hosted the President and First Lady at a fundraiser at Jay’s 40/40 Club. Beyoncé wrote an open note that referred Obama as “the leader to take us from where we are to where we need to be” right before Election Day.