This just in: Kelly Clarkson can SERIOUSLY sing. The first-ever American Idol champion once again showed off her vocal chops today, this time with a rather important audience surrounding her at Barack Obama’s second Inauguration in Washington, D.C. We elect her one of the best artists on the planet. Watch this rendition now for visual and audio proof: Kelly Clarkson “My Country Tis of Thee” Yesterday, meanwhile, Katy Perry performed at the 2013 Kids’ Inaugural Concert. Compared to Clarkson, hers is a slightly more energetic, less harmonized show.
Barack Obama who?!? Today’s Presidential Inauguration was dominated by two of the biggest names in the music business. First, Kelly Clarkson blew us away with a version of ” My Country ‘Tis of Thee .” Then, with a crowd of nearly 800,000 in front of her, Beyonce took to the stage and belted out as impressive a rendition of our national anthem as you’re ever likely to hear. Sit back and be amazed by it now… and then get extra excited for her Super Bowl halftime show ! Beyonce – Inauguration National Anthem
President Barack Obama gave his inaugural address today, beginning his second White House term with an ambitious agenda and a call for national unity. On a cold morning in Washington, D.C., the 44th President asked this great nation to live up to its founding ideals and to bringing about needed change. Obama Inaugural Address 2013 Obama invoked the country’s history of hardship – be it from the deficit, rising health care costs, climate change and equal rights – and overcoming adversity. “We are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together,” Obama said, after taking the oath and being sworn in for a second term . He urged citizens to meet “the obligation to shape the debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our enduring ideals.” Amid the pomp and ceremony, the event symbolized U.S. democracy with a peaceful extension of power based on 2012’s bitterly contested election. While focusing on broader themes of democracy and citizenship, Obama referred to some specific issues facing the country after his first four years in power: Economic disparity : Obama said Americans understand that “our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it.” Spending : He rejects “that we must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future.” Climate change : Obama vowed to “respond to the threat … knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.” Gun control : The President said “all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown” should be safe from harm. World peace : Americans “still believe that enduring security and peace do not require perpetual war” and that “engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear.” Equality : Perhaps Obama’s loudest cheer came when he said we should not rest “until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts,” and “until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.” Unlike Obama’s 2009 inauguration, he cast a more optimistic tone for the next four years as he laid out his vision for America in strokes both broad and specific. The ceremony featured Beyonce’s national anthem and Kelly Clarkson’s performance of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and will be followed by events throughout today. What did you think of the speech? And of the prospects for the next four years under Obama’s leadership in general? Comment (and vote) below! President Obama’s second term: How will it go? Very well, we’re on the right track! Better than the last four years at least Better than the first term of Mitt Romney would have been Terrible, we’re doomed! View Poll »
Usher, Mindless Behavior and more honor Armed Services families during Inauguration Weekend. By James Montgomery Katy Perry performs at the Kids’ Inaugural Concert on Saturday Photo: Joe Raedle/ Getty Images
On January 20, 2009, President Barack Obama (pictured) officially took office as the nation’s first African-American president, sharing his inaugural address with the millions who’d…
Ke$ha, Usher and Alicia Keys are also set to hit D.C. this weekend for Inaugural festivities, and we’ve got a guide to the action! By James Montgomery Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce and Katy Perry Photo: Getty Images
Tina Fey is one unhappy comedian. The 30 Rock star spoke last night at the Center for Reproductive Rights Inaugural Gala in New York City, using the opportunity to call out Todd Akin of Missouri, Richard Mourdock of Indiana and other politicians who have remarked on abortion and rape over the past few weeks. “I wish we could have an honest and respectful dialogue about these complicated issues,” Fey said. “But it seems like we can’t right now. And if I have to listen to one more gray-faced man with a two-dollar haircut explain to me what rape is, I’m gonna lose my mind.” Watch now: Tina Fey at Center for Reproductive Rights Gala
Last night, the moment that Brooklyn has been waiting for finally arrived. Jay-Z Brings Out A Bevy Of Celebrity Friends For Barclays Center Opening Jay-Z, part owner of the newly minted Brooklyn Nets, opened the Barclays Center with a concert that brought out all of his celebrity cronies. Of course, Beyonce was front and center for the celebration, but even surprise fans like Star Jones and chef Mario Batali made the trek to BK to spread love with Jiggaman. Hit the flipper and peep the pics from backstage, the concert, and the after party at the 40/40 club with D’USSE Cognac! Images via Miguel Nuñez/Getty Images/SplashNewsPics/WENN
I’m getting to this a wee bit late, but hey : The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis has announced plans for the inaugural Internet Cat Video Film Festival, which is… exactly what it sounds like. LOL? The Aug. 30 event will take place as part of the Walker Open Field program; its organizer has elaborated on the details at the program’s site: Walker Open Field welcomes cat lovers (and challenges haters – c’mon, you know who you are) to openly release your cat-video-induced giggles and emotions that are otherwise muffled by computer screens and constrained by cubicles. Rejoice and be free like my favorite triumphant slow-motion kitten playing in the video below. Let’s transform this singular small screen viewing experience into a shared celebration with the larger-than-life projection of these silly clips out on the Open Field. Not only am I totally down with this, but I recommend everyone attend this year before the scene is overrun with scenesters and marketers and gifting suites flanking bumper-to-bumper traffic in which Harvey Weinstein barks bidding-war instructions to his SUV full of subordinates (“She licks herself! We can release it unrated !” etc. etc.) beneath a smoggy pall of industry anomie. Or, failing that, you can always elect your favorites for inclusion here . Anyway, about that slo-mo kitty: [ Animal via Gawker ; photo via Walker Open Field ]
In the hottest news ever (or not), Octomom Nadya Suleman has booked her first gig as a stripper. Try to contain your excitement there, fellas. Sources close to Octomom say she will be at T’s Lounge in West Palm Beach, Fla., for her inaugural (and hopefully last) stint as a stripper July 11-15. She’ll do two shows a night during that stretch. Thank goodness. Of course, while T’s Lounge is an all-nude club, Nadya will only be going topless. No full Octomom nude action. Or lap dances. Keep dreaming. Despite vowing to never exploit herself for money, Octomom is feeling so “sexually liberated” since filming her solo porn video . Good to know. The video is scheduled for release around that time, so she decided stripping would be a good promotional tool. How enterprising of her. She will reportedly make “thousands” from the gig, not including $1s stuffed in her sexy g-string by oglers. The show is gonna be so epic.
