Beyoncé Wants to Serenade Obama

'Big-eared' prez 'might not ever like me,' James laments

(NEWSER) - Etta James was just trying to be funny when she vowed to whup Beyoncé’s ass for singing "her song" at the inauguration, the Daily News reports. “I've always had that comedian kind of attitude,” James said, insisting she only kept up the insults because her concertgoers kept laughing. James said she liked Beyoncé’s Washington performance of "At Last"—but still thinks she would have sung it better. More»

(NEWSER) - Aretha Franklin’s inauguration hat has been mercilessly mocked by some, but lots of people want one of their very own. The Detroit millinery where Franklin has been a customer for 20 years has been flooded with calls for orders, the AP reports. But Aretha wannabes soon learn that the hand-molded $500 hat isn't for sale—it was custom-designed for her. Instead, customers can order a slightly different version for $179. More»

Rooftop snipers, the vice president sprinting, Denzel in action, and more

(NEWSER) - Yesterday’s all-star concert on the National Mall put the super in supergroup, but the HBO broadcast didn’t catch everything. Here’s some of what went down off-camera, as seen by Jada Yuan of New York:

• Black-clad Secret Service snipers trolled the Lincoln Memorial’s rooftop, packing binocs and “really big machine guns.”
• Audience members gasping at actor Denzel Washington’s presence, with one man exclaiming, “Damn, all the famous black people are here.” Denzel also “did a little dance” and “raised the roof” for singer Mary J. Blige.
• President-elect Barack Obama obeying Jamie Foxx’s command that “Chi-Town, stand up!”

Sing will also join many other performers for inauguration's Neighborhood Ball

(NEWSER) - Beyoncé will sing for the Obamas' first dance on inauguration night, the AP reports. The inaugural committee is tight-lipped about the specifics—"It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment,” a rep said—but it's a good bet the singer/actress will be closer to the "At Last" section of her repertoire than to "Single Ladies" or "Bootylicious." More»

Couple will appear at inaugural ball

(NEWSER) - J.Lo and Marc Anthony are jumping on the Obama bandwagon—and being dubbed “vile opportunists” for their trouble, the New York Post reports. Though the power couple snubbed him during the campaign, Anthony will sing and Lopez will speak at the Latino Inaugural Ball Jan. 18, leading one supporter to accuse them of “worming themselves into anything Obama-related even though they had nothing to do with his win.” More»