I thought Etta was dead. Then why the F wasn't she invited to sing it? Because Beyonce brings in higher ratings? Most. Overated. Person. Of. The. Moment.

I thought Etta James should have sang it but she acts like Beyonce did it on purpose. If she did, I'm not in her business to really know but this "feud" is unnecessary.

Woah, that's some intense hatred. How about a poll option that says that it was unnecessary for her to say all of that? Way to be classy and humble.

It's not Etta's song, she didn't write it and as sugar points out, was not the first to record it. Beyonce sang it beautifully. Etta's not being very gracious.

Look I know it's her song and what not... but that was in tremendous poor taste and classes. What's going on with these old divas? First Aretha and now Etta.. geez, old age havent brought these women any wisdom.

First Faye and Hilary, now Etta and B. Sorry, but Etta needs to sit the F down. It's not even her song, she just made the most popular redition of it. Beyonce sang it beautifully and did a superb job. Sounds like sour grapes to me

Hmmm, these bitter old ladies...first Faye Dunaway with Hillary Duff, now Etta with Beyonce. Maybe these girls don't have as great a talent as the oldies had but they had their time and success, why it is so hard for them to let go and allow younger people to nejoy what they once had?!

she may not have written it but she is closely tied to the song, when ever i hear that song she is the one i think of. it was a poor choice of words but she's aloud to voice her opinions.....

Is this rumor even true? why haven't we seen it anywhere else and i'm unfamiliar with the source

Is this rumor even true? why haven't we seen it anywhere else and i'm unfamiliar with the source

Etta should have totally sung the song...that is HER song. I was irritated that they chose the young and beautiful, pop tart Beyonce over THE Etta James. It's like they thought she had already passed away or something...so irritating.

If they wanted to hear "At Last," they should have had Etta sing it. If they wanted to hear Beyonce, she probably should have performed another song.

'At Last' my love has come along... I thought the song didn't fit the occasion in the first place. But, I agree, it should have been Ms. James (I was raised to respect the path clearer) ; regardless of whether this story is even true in the first place. *doubt it*

Team Beyonce!

And for those who think the way it was said was 'uncool' obviously isn't familiar with Ms. James. She's one of the first female blues singers and doesn't give a damn what you think about her or what she says... and that's why (we) love her.

While I loooove Etta's rendition (over Beyonce's), I think Etta is just bitter. Too bad she's unwilling to be gracious about it. Truthfully, I thought it would be beneath her dignity to be upset with Beyonce, but I guess I was wrong. Etta is being somewhat petty, in my opinion.

agree with flyingroo
and why take away from an amazing occasion itself by saying some nasty comments, and bringing negativity to a completely positive night. it is was it is, and I think Beyonce did a great job

It should have been Etta James singing that song. I like Beyonce, but she isn't the best singer in the world. I mean come on thats insulting to Ms James, she made that version famous and I don't see why she wasn't asked to sing it.

Etta James said he's not her president so why does she care who sings for him?

it just doesn't make sense to me why etta would get so upset about this given that she was thrilled when beyonce was cast to play her in the movie. oh well...people won't ever be happy for their 'competition'.

It should've been Etta. Beyonce is just a cheap wannabe.

Uh, I never thought I'd say that I support Beyonce, but in this instance, I completely do. Talk about an unprovoked attack! As the older and presumably wiser show business veteran, I would hope that Etta James would have the grace and tact not to do something like this, but apparently not. I would probably be disappointed if I was in her situation, but she's not doing herself any favors or getting anything sympathy votes...

I didn't but as much as I love Etta but she doesn't sound like she did when she first recorded that song. So her singing for her "not my president" would not have been enjoyable, for me at least. Etta is being a rude sourpuss. That said, Beyonce has no business singing that song, or singing at all. Christina Aguilera should have sung it, she sounds better than Etta imo.

Also, the reason Beyonce was chosen is for the youth. She's pretty and popular. Etta should be ashamed of herself, she grew up during the civil rights movement, she's embarrassing herself.

Etta thinks way too much of herself.

BAHHAHAHAHAHA. It's all ridiculously funny to me. Faye, Hillary, Etta, Beyonce, whole lot of crazies.

That's lame. I like what someone else said, if he's not your president then why do you care who sings for him? Classy!

I thought Beyonce was chosen, not only for her youth, but because she also campaigned for the President.

It's very unfortunate that Etta James had to take it to such a level. Especially since she was so supportive of Beyonce playing her in "Cadillac Records". I can only hope that Beyonce doesn't go the same route that Hilary Duff went in her response to Faye Dunway. In fact, I hope Beyonce (and the White House staff) don't dignify this with any response.

I'm an Etta fan. But she does not own that song, and her voice is not what it used to be. It would have been classy if she had something positive to say, like, I'm glad that they used the song with which I'm so closely associated, but instead she sounds like a groucy old lady. I think she's jealous that Beyonce nailed it.

Well that was rude! If she claims she owns the song she should of just got up there herself and sang it!

In a way I can see where Etta is coming from. She's not dead so she can sing her own classic. BUT then again, is Etta's voice actual the same, would she sound decent enough to sing at such a big event.
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As for her statement, I think Etta could have been classier than she was when speaking to get her point/feeling across to the public.
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As for Beyonce, I still don't believe that she should have been invited at all.

If you listen to the clip it sounds like someone is doing stand-up comedy.

First, if it had been Etta's song in the first place then maybe I could see her point, but although she made it famous--it is not.

Second, if the president asked me to stand on me head and sing twinkle twinkle I would--so Beyonce did what she was asked.

Third, I have no respect for Etta--even if she had a valid point to make she ruined it by first ridiculing the presidents looks, then saying he "wasn't her president", and lastly by using horrendous grammar. I can't respect anyone who says AIN'T!

eww, what a bitter woman, huh? If he's not her president, then why does she care that she wasn't invited to sing at his inauguration?
I thought Beyonce did a wonderful job, even if she isn't my favorite. I'd definitely take her "side" in this one.

geesh- why didn't they ask her to sing it?

yea the oldies are definitely hating on the youngsters. As much as I respect Ms James, she's a little too old to be playing the 'jealousy game"

I think this is another one of those things that is kinda being blown of proportion. From the clip, it sounds like she could have been joking around.

Wow, there are cat fights going on everywhere. Is this national PMS week?

beyonce couldn't really refuse that offer. she shouldn't blame her, necessarily.

Sit your sorry, jealous, and pathetic ass down Etta. That rant is just really sad.

Etta doesn't own the song or anything. I'm not really a fan of Beyonce, but the President of the United States asked her to sing that song...no way would she or should she have said no. and if Etta was saying he's "not her President" simply because of this, then that's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard.

I thought a separate committee that puts the inaugural presentations together picked Bey, not President Obama himself. Also, I thought she was a registered Republican? To whomever isn't familiar with the source of this article (from the above comments somewhere)-the ybf (young black and fabulous) is a fab gossip site that sometimes has exclusive interviews and a whole lotta scoop. it's one of my faves.

Beyonce's side. Etta sounds like a spoiled brat with that stupid rant.

I prefer Etta's version of the song and dislike Beyonce in general, but in this case i've lost some respect for Etta, she sounds crass and unreasonable, if she did'nt write the song and was'nt even the first person to sing it, she has no right to make such a big deal out of it.

:sideeye:

Oh, sad, sad, sad. Very bitter, and graceless.

Etta came off sounding like a bitter, old harpie. You would think wisdom comes with age, but I guess not. I agree that no one sings "At Last" like Etta, but Beyonce did a fantastic job.

I think it was poor taste that they picked Beyonce over Etta. It's like having someone else singing "My Way" on inauguration night while Frank Sinatra is still alive.

Wow with such a bitter attitude no wonder she didn't get the gig. And, with that attitude I'd be supprised if anyone asked he to sing again!

How bitter can you possibly be? I agree with misscoopa - how could Beyonce refuse the offer? She may not be Etta but she did a wonderful job and the attack seems unprovoked. I agree with what a lot of people said, if you don't consider him "your president" then why do you even care?