There's never a dull moment in the world of divas. According to media reports, Etta James was less than pleased with Beyonce performing her hit 'At Last' at President Barack Obama's inaugural ball. The 27-year-old singer, who portrayed James in the Chess Records biopic 'Cadillac Records
,' performed the classic for Obama and his wife Michelle's at the president's first Neighborhood Ball."You know, YOUR President, the one with the big ears -- he ain't my President -- had that woman singing for him at his Inauguration," James said during a concert in Seattle. "She's going to get her ass whooped. How dare Beyonce sing MY song that I been singing forever. Now I'm going to sing it for y'all."
While James sounds quite perturbed, Beyonce has had nothing but nice things to say about the legendary songstress. Beyonce praised the singer and gushed about James' "amazing voice" and credits the singer for giving her the motivation to take "risks" in an exclusive interview with AOL Music.
"I know I'm very private but I always reveal myself on the stage and I always reveal myself in my music," Beyonce said during her AOL Music Sessions taping. "I'm really proud of it and I feel like it's the best work I've done. I know you always feel that way but I really feel like I've grown tremendously and I feel so free and I have Etta James to thank for that."
Beyonce has not responded to James' recent comments.
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
jamesmcneill6at 2-05-2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAHiuqhFgIs
Sammieat 2-05-2009
I think Etta James ought ot be glad somronr thought enough of the song to sing it. i think she just has sour grapes against Beyonce. It seems no one likes her. SHE(ETTA) is to old for the crap she is saying and doing. Its just business. What has the man(President Obama done to her? He doesnt know her and she talking about his ears and everyone is laughing. If she didnt vote for him...fine, gont bad mouth him. And she must had thought the song...her song (Etta's) was befitting for them and the first dance. Black people are just haters in all walks of work. Etta...get a job and do one better for the "prez" if you didnt appreciate what beyonce did. And stop bad mouting...grow up!!!!!
shirleyat 2-05-2009
I think the song, At Last was very appropriate for the occasion. However I do think that Etta James should have been asked to perform the song herself, since it is her signature song. And at her age it would have been more addition to history. After all the song is about 48 years old. And in my opionion Beyounce is Not all that.
wallaceat 2-05-2009
I think ms beyonce should have ask ms james if she mind her singing her song. On the other hand, since ms beyonce was allowed to star in a film role as ms james, she thought it would be ok to sing her song at the ball. The president had the right to choose whomever he wanted to sing whatever song he wanted to hear. President Obama is the president of the united states, and not just certain people. Also, who wants to hear an angry, 80? year old woman sing.
dreaminofny88at 2-06-2009
Etta James is just pissed that she didnt get to sing the song at the ball! Green is an ugly girl on u Miss James. She wasnt upset that beyonce was picked to be her in a movie but was that beyonce did her song...jelous is all that is. Grow up...please! U GO BEYONCE
RoRoat 2-06-2009
You go Beyonce, she must be losing it. Instead of her being grateful for you as you are her, she's trippin'. You got it going on in every thing you do. Remember some people will love to hate you. Dont pay them any mind no matter who they are!!!
Welcome Amber!at 2-07-2009
I think Beyonce should have had permission, just because she portrayed Etta in a movie doesn't mean she can sing her songs and Etta be "okay" with it. It is after all her signiture song. A little respect would have been nice.
PIMPDATRICKYADIGat 2-07-2009
This is not Etta's song. Someone else sang it before her so Beyonce had a right to sing it she didnt have to ask Etta for anything. Etta needs to calm down she doesnt even like Obama so why should she care?
shantetataclarkat 2-08-2009
i think that true Beyonce should of asked her but hey she should be happy her song was chosen.
It might have been her signature song back in the day but ask any of us young people have we heard that song. At least Beyonce is keeping the song alive. Damn did she have a problem when Beyonce played her in the movie too. She's acting like Beonce is trying to get famous off of the song news flash Beyonce is already known. As far as dissing the president that's disrespectful he's trying to help old hags like her with medacare and all that unappreciated.
Queen Ansha'Laat 2-08-2009
well to tell you the truth, i thought etta james was dead, beyonce song the heck out of that song; if my president wanted beyonce to sing the song for him etta can't get mad....jealousy is a bad thing ms. james GROW UP.....
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Ileanaat 2-09-2009
How Etta dare to say"that's my song"?Before her was Nat King Cole,and it was a really good version.I already knew this song for him,before Etta jazzformer the essence of the song.She don't know that songs don't have any owner?.Everybody can sing and feel any song in pretty different ways.So nasty the old lady!!!!
deniseat 2-09-2009
Get outta here! You were not "joking" and I have "Mad" respect for "Ms. B". Don't get into something (the dirt) that will sully you and your "rep". Ms. James, please learn from the youngster and have some respect for yourself as well as others (love yourself FIRST). If you had a problem with the situation, you should have sent the Pres. and Michelle a letter and told them you would have loved to sing for them. Who knows, you could have been invited to the first State Dinner and asked to sing. Get off your "Diva Chair" and THINK BIG - BE BIGGER THAN YOU'VE RECENTLY SHOWN!
Hev2at 2-10-2009
beyonce is very over rated she hasn't got any talent so she gets over by wearing revealing outfits that shows tits and ass and the weak minded sex fiends eat it up. beyonce STINKS.
Kenneth E.at 2-10-2009
This response by Ms James reminds me of how someone "black" and older once responded to me getting a job promotion. (I'm "black" also) He stated "He's not going to tell me what to do." ie. "He's not my President." We had even been friends, yet he stopped speaking to me: even started to bad mouth me. Later on he apologized after it was bought to his attention by his wife he needed to have a 'reason' to behave as he did. He didn't. I termed it as a deep seated hatred of self and kind.