Gaga, J-LO and Brooks bring star power to day
A full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at US President Joe Biden’s inauguration in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion.
The Grammy winner wore a large dove pin and an impressively billowing red sculpted skirt as she sang into a golden microphone, delivering an emotional and powerful rendition of The Star-spangled Banner.
She was followed by Jennifer Lopez, dressed all in white, with a moving medley of This Land Is Your Land and America The Beautiful, throwing in a line in Spanish.
And country star Garth Brooks, doffing his black cowboy hat, sang a gospel-tinged, soulful a capella rendition of Amazing Grace, his eyes closed for much of the song.
He asked the audience to sing a verse with him: “Not just the people here, but the people at home, to work as one united.”
Leaving the podium, he donned his cowboy hat again, shook hands and hugged former president Barack Obama.
The three superstars were among a slew of glittery celebrities descending on Washington — virtually or in person — to welcome the new administration of Mr Biden and Kamala Harris.
But Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform non-political, and in the spirit of unity.
Brooks performed during the inaugural celebration of Mr Obama in 2009, but turned down an opportunity to play for Mr Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict.
Other top-tier performers were part of Celebrating America, a 90-minute, multi-network evening broadcast hosted by Tom Hanks that took the place of the usual official inaugural balls.
Hamilton creator Lin-manuel Miranda contributed a classical recitation, joining musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake and Bon Jovi.
The history of celebrities performing at inaugurations dates back to Franklin D Roosevelt’s third inauguration in 1941, when a gala celebration the evening before saw performances from Irving Berlin, Mickey Rooney and Charlie Chaplin.