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Beyonce Reveals Inspiration Behind Billboard Performance

Posted May 24th 2011 9:12PM by Benjy Eisen
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Beyonce at Billboard Music Awards Ethan Miller, Getty Images for ABC

When Beyonce took to the stage at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards this past Sunday (May 22), she gave what was, quite possibly, the performance of her lifetime. It certainly ranks up there among the most memorable in the award show's history. Honored with the Billboard Millennium Award, Beyonce performed her current single, 'Run the World (Girls)' while dancing and interacting with high-tech video projections synced behind her.

Beyonce's performance dazzled just about everyone, but afterward it quickly became the center of a controversy, as too many aspects appeared to be lifted from a performance by Italian pop singer Lorella Cuccerini in 2010. The visuals, dancing and even sequencing are remarkably similar at points. And now, AOL Music reports that Beyonce has responded, in the form of an explanation.

"My makeup artist showed me the performance of Lorella Cuccarini a year ago, and it inspired me so much," Beyonce told AOL Music. "I then met with the talented people who worked on it. The technology and concept were so genius. Thank god for YouTube or I would have never been exposed to something so inspiring. I never worked so hard on anything in my life as that performance for the Billboard Awards."

Just as Cuccarini's piece "inspired" her, Beyonce's performance will now, no doubt, inspire other artists in turn. Stay tuned for examples. And that, of course, is exactly why Beyonce is a Billboard Millennium Award recipient.

Watch Beyonce's 2011 Billboard Music Awards Performance

Compare the Two Performances

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3 Comments

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scallywag

It looks like even when it comes to pop choreography, there are no original ideas left.; but if you get lucky, or you’re Beyonce, you just hope the original stays hidden, as you turn it into ratings gold.

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/05/did-beyonce-rip-off-italian-pop-star-lorella-cuccerini/

May 26 2011 at 9:57 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Inspirating has to come from some where. In this case she saw her performance she liked it...she did something similar...so what? this is art people need to stop thinking that they must reinvent the wheel several times before its appreciated. I think shes did a great job.

May 25 2011 at 10:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

virgoladi78

wait did she just admit to copying it on the sly??? "inspired" ... c'mon now. that's what we're going to call it now when art is stolen? "inspiration"? smh

May 25 2011 at 6:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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