Beyoncé has now laid to rest any speculation about whether or not she is going to sing live at her Super Bowl XLVII halftime performance, which takes place on February 3, 2013, at the Superdome in New Orleans. During a Super Bowl press conference that was held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on January 31, 2013, Beyoncé said that she will definitely be singing live during her entire Super Bowl performance.
She went on to explain why she sang to a prerecorded track of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the U.S. presidential inauguration on January 21, 2013. The lip syncing caused a lot of controversy, which she addressed at the Super Bowl press conference. Grammy-winning Beyoncé also mentioned that she normally performs live, so the prerecorded part of her inauguration performance was the exception, not the rule. And to prove she can sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" live, she began the Super Bowl press conference by singing the song a cappella.
In one of the worst-kept secrets about the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show, Beyoncé will reunite with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for a Destiny’s Child performance. Beyoncé would not confirm nor deny the reunion, but she hinted that she will announce a solo tour after the performance. At the Super Bowl press conference, Beyoncé also talked about being a mother and about “Life Is But a Dream,” the HBO documentary about herself that she directed.
Can you clarify what happened with you singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the presidential inauguration? And do you feel all the attention from that controversy is taking away from your Super Bowl moment?
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 and a very, very important and emotional show for me: one of my proudest moments. And due to the weather, due to the delay, due to no proper soundcheck, I did not feel comfortable taking a risk. It was president and the inauguration. And I wanted to make him and my country proud. So I decided to sing along with my prerecorded track, which is very common in the music industry. And I’m very proud of my performance.
What can you say about the rumors of a Destiny’s Child reunion during your Super Bowl performance? And will your husband, Jay-Z, also perform with you?
Oh, I don’t know. I can’t really give you any details. I’m sorry.
Will we hear from Destiny’s Child anytime soon?
Well, we just ad a new release: “Love Songs,” the Destiny’s Child album. And it was so exciting to hear us together again. I just dropped on the floor and felt like a little teenager again when I heard us harmonize. There’s nothing like our connection and the sisterhood we have, so it’s always such a pleasure to be around them professionally and personally.
Are you happy or excited for the Super Bowl?
Oh my God, I’m so anxious.
Your HBO documentary “Life Is But a Dream,” which you directed, shows a side of you that most people haven’t seen. Are you nervous about putting that all out there?
I’m very nervous. I’m still very nervous. It was real interesting directing and editing myself and seeing all the mistakes that I’ve made and still putting it in the film and seeing life as if it wasn’t me. I feel like it’s time. It’s time for people to really get to know me and to see a different side. And I’m really curious and scared. And every night, I’m like, “Now it’s too late. It’s coming out.” But I’m happy with it.
Who do you want to win Super Bowl XLVII?
[She laughs.] I can’t say that either.
Will you be singing live at your Super Bowl performance?
I will absolutely be singing live. I am well-rehearsed, and I will absolutely be singing live. This is what I was born to do, what I am born for.
Why did you choose this press conference to show video footage of your daughter, Blue Ivy?
I feel like my daughter has changed me and change my life and given me so much purpose. I feel like this movie is very necessary and I think it shows a human side. We’re all human. And I feel like at some point, my job is to protect her. And I’m happy that I can tell my story on my terms.
How do you mentally prepare to sing and dance live in front of such a huge TV audience?
I’ve had a 16-year career. And all of the things that I’ve done [have] prepared me for this. So I’m ready.
What do you have to say to any of your haters?
I love haters. No shame. No hate.
Do you feel any pressure about you’re your Super Bowl performance will be?
It is nerve-wracking, and it is something we’ve been preparing for, for about four or five months. So of course, I’m nervous. And I think when I was driving up, I just got chills because I saw the Superdome. There’s so much history there. My family is from New Iberia, Louisiana, so it really makes me emotional to have a [Super Bowl] halftime performance. I think of all my heroes. It’s one thing when I’m no longer here, it’s what they’re going to show. And it is something I’m so honored to be doing at 31 years old.
And when I got into the Superdome, I took my shoes off and I planted my feet into the ground, and I just ran! And I’m trying to learn to live in every moment, because these moments are not promised to us. And I’m so, so, so happy right now in my life. I feel so full. And this is such a huge opportunity. I take it very serious, so I’m so excited.
You’ve been sending out a lot of updates on the Internet about your preparations for your Super Bowl halftime show. Is this in reaction to the backlash that you got for the presidential inauguration performance?
No, I have been taking pictures ... and using my Tumblr and focusing on my website for the past six months. I feel like the fans are a part of this, and I want them to be a part of this every step of the way.
Can you compare and contrast the pressure you feel for your Super Bowl performance and your inauguration performance?
This weekend, I’m performing at the halftime show. I feel like before [at the inauguration], the event was not about me. So I’m excited to have done both, but now I’m on to the halftime show.
Did any of the backlash that you got about lip syncing your inauguration performance effect your decision to sing live at the Super Bowl?
I always sing live. The inauguration was a time when I could not rehearse with the orchestra, actually, because I was practicing for the Super Bowl. So it was always planned.
Are you going to be performing at the Grammys this year?
Who said I was performing at the Grammys? I don’t have that much going on. I don’t know if I’m performing at the Grammys.
Were you singing to a prerecorded track at the inauguration?
Typically, they have you sing a prerecorded track, because anything could go wrong, so I did sing with a prerecorded track.
I can’t take you through what Jay-Z does. He has to take you through it himself. But I can tell you that for the last few months, I’m usually on the computer, pulling references, looking at my rehearsals, and I’ve been so focused on this halftime show. But I do fall asleep and wake up with a lot of football. I know every detail because of the Fantasy Football. I actually have the utmost respect for the players.
What will you do to relax after your Super Bowl performance?
I can’t wait! I’m going t enjoy my daughter. I miss her, and I’m working so hard. I keep saying, “Mommy will be done Sunday at 9 o’clock.”
Can you talk about the logistics of your Super Bowl performance such as how long it would take to change the stage?
I think there are seven-and-a-half minutes for the volunteers to put the stage together. And it took so many months to just decide what the stage was, because some of the things that were in my head just wasn’t possible to put together in that amount of time. So I met the volunteers, and they are so incredible. We’re all working together. I can’t give too much away, but I can say that every little second matters, and we’re working.
How did you decide which songs to sing at your Super Bowl performance?
That was one of the hardest things. I have so many songs. And trying to condense a career into 12 minutes was not easy, because all of my songs are like my children.
When are you going back out on tour?
I would say soon. And I may have an announcement after the performance. Fans should just stay tuned to see.
Have you always aspired to perform at the Super Bowl?
This has been an aspiration for me. I just thank God that I’m given this opportunity. Like I said earlier, you work very hard for these moments. And I’m just hoping that all of my life lessons and all of my experience, I can feel and use in this performance.
For more info: Super Bowl website
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