Kelly Clarkson sang live — and flawlessly — while Beyonce lip-synched at the inauguration

by Rand Duren

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It's more common than some people realize.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Beyonce sings the National Anthem at the ceremonial swearing-in for President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, January 21, 2013.

Did Beyonce lip-sync her way through the inaugural festivities? All signs point to yes. But surprisingly, this is not such an unusual practice. Only a few months ago, Classical music critic Scott Cantrell wrote about the Dallas Symphony Orchestra miming the music during the Thanksgiving Day game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins.

According to The Times of London: “A spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Band said it was standard procedure to record a backing track and Beyoncé decided shortly before her performance to rely on the studio version rather than risk singing it live on the Capitol.”

It is hard to imagine how nervous a performer can be in such a situation, and how other factors like weather can make it a difficult endeavor. But Beyonce’s decision to lip-sync just proves that, among many other accolades, she is a great lip-syncer. Now if she could use those acting skills in her movies she could finally “run the world.”

Oh, and you know who actually sang live at the inauguration? Kelly Clarkson! Clarkson made a big splash with her thrilling rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. Yes. Flawless.