Celebrity News January 16, 2009
Beyoncé to Belt for Obama's First Dance
Superstar Beyoncé Knowles has been tapped to sing a song for Michelle and Barack Obama's first dance on the night of the inauguration.
The two-time Grammy nominee will take the stage at the official Neighborhood Ball in Washington D.C., along with her husband Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Sting, Faith Hill, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder and Maroon 5.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee has remained tight-lipped about the melody that was chosen as the first dance for the 44th President and his First Lady. "It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment," spokeswoman Linda Douglass told AP.
The Ball will also feature appearances by Hollywood's own Denzel Washington, Jessica Alba, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah and Kate Walsh, but the Inaugural Committee wants Americans to celebrate the historic inauguration on Main Street as well!
"We are encouraging people all around the country to have their own inaugural ball," explained Douglass. "All Americans are invited to take a moment and have a little party, and they'll be connected to the folks in Washington and the Neighborhood Ball through both broadcast and on the Internet."
The Neighborhood Ball will be televised on ABC. President-elect Barack Obama will take his presidential oath on January 20.