The legendary soulstress says she was just kidding when she told concertgoers that she “can’t stand” Beyonce and made jabs at President Barack Obama.
She tells the New York’s Daily News, “I didn’t really mean anything. Even as a little child, I’ve always had that comedian kind of attitude. …That’s probably what went into it.”
She added that the crowd liked it, so she kept on rolling. “Nobody was getting mad at me in Seattle. They were all laughing, and it was funny.” She said the jokes were “not from a vicious place.”
Nonetheless, Etta did reveal that she was hurt after not being invited to perform her signature song for Obama’s inauguration. The 71-year-old singer was “feeling left out of something that was basically mine, that I had done every time you look around.”
And while she liked Beyonce’s performance, Miss James think she could have done a better job, though admitting “that’s a shame to say that.”
As for Obama and his potentially hurt feelings? “He’s got other stuff (to worry about) besides Etta James.”
25 Comments
Why couldn’t it have been a duet? I thought Beyonce did a super job, but it is a slight to Etta. This is HER song, and nobody sings it like she does. Hopefully the O-Team will get it right in 2012.
Crazy old bitter bat. She needs to get over herself.
I think and this is just my opinion, Miss James should not allow Beyonc’e out do her in maturity. As a older woman certain things you dont do or say. According to what I read above Miss James should be Honored her song was sang during a Historical moment like this. The fact that Beyonce had enough respect and honor to sing a great song like At Last was a wonderful thing. Not only did Beyonce do an outstanding job, she sought of put Miss James out to notice again. Lets face it until Beyonce did that movie we heard nothing about Miss James and now to sing the song that not only put Beyonce out there in the media but Miss James as well only in a good way. As far as the comments about President Obama, people should be careful of what they say from their mouth. Some things are not right or necessary to say even if you are just joking. Grown Ups need to be Grown Ups. The Obama Team had it all right 2008 and will have it right in 2012. Next time maybe Beyonce should sing one of her songs since here songs are all good anyway. Maybe she will come out with on appropriate for the occassion. Go Beyonce and keep doing your thing. Miss James you had your opportunity. No need to hate jus show the love. Stay Positive.
It would have been a very dutiful and respectful gesture to Etta to have her sing the song. Barack Obama owes a great deal to her generation for helping pave his way to the presidency. I’m sure Etta can remember a time when she wasn’t allowed to enter the front doors of her concert venues simply because of the color of her skin.
Beyonce, on the other hand, is a talentless hack who has risen to fame simply because of clever, relentless marketing and branding. Beyonce and her ilk have ridden on the coattails of pioneers like Etta, Mahalia, and Aretha, who were women who had to fight their way to success IN ADDITION to having some of the greatest voices ever. Etta knows what it’s like to achieve the seemingly unachievable, and it would have been much more appropriate for her to serenade a president who also achieved the seemingly unachievable. Instead, the honor went to a dumb hack who hasn’t got a talented bone in her body. I can’t blame Etta for feeling bitter.
soooo eloquently put, just askin’. couldn’t agree more!
Obama owes nothing to Etta James, she is just like the rest of these self-serving celebrities who feels that everyone should be kissing their asses because they sing songs or act in films. Their hubris is unbelievable. Etta is jealous of Beyonce’s success the same as Jesse Jackson is jealous of Obama’s. As a black woman they disgust me. We are our worst enemy sometimes. All we do is tear each other down. It’s sad that Etta has aged without grace, dignity, or tact. As a black woman she offends me.
This old whore is enjoying the attention. She should be kissing Beyonce’s ass. Stupid cow doesn’t know that she was held in high esteem until this display of diva behavior.
I’m glad Etta spoke up cause I was wondering why B would sing Etta’s song. And I’m glad she poked fun at the big ears too….I laughed because she said what everyone else in america was thinking. Beyonce took it too far, she needed to be slaped down.
A duet would have prevented this ugliness and painted a beautiful picture to add to the glory of Obama’s inauguration… respect for what has come before and a nod to the future. Both women are incredibly talented. It’s a shame this was so mishandled. And no, the O-Team did *not* get this one right. To slight a talent such as Etta James is not cool. But I think he’ll have another chance and I bet next time he doesn’t let anything like this happen.
Guess what, Etta? It isn’t your song.
Beyonce has this feigned niceness while inside you could tell she believes she is the best thing that has happened to the world since sliced bread. Franlky I can’t stand her too.She should have performed one of lowlife songs. She is yet to deliver a classic.To me Beyonce still performes trivial bubblegum music. Dismissable.
beyonce is the black equivalent of jessica simpson: pretty bimbo with an ok voice.
#11 I agree that stupid ring on it song drives me crazy she sure wasn’t singin about no ring for the 7 years she was fornicating with Jay-Z now that he FINALLY did the right thing she looks down on single woman and croons if he likes it then he should put a ring on it arrogant ass..
Very well said, just askin’!!!!! Mama Knowles looks like Etta, too. ha ha ha
^^^^ yeah they both have the same creepy beaty eyes!
First of all, its not her song! This song was sung by a white man in the early 40’s, so she techinally stole his song! Love, Peace, & Happiness!
Just askin you said it better than I would so Ill leave it like that. That was some BS though a very thoughtless act. Just remember we all get older. I resent the oversight I have been a fan of Etta James since I first heard the song Sunday Kinda Love on the movie Eves Bayou(it took me a few minutes to remember the name of the movie). I had to know who belonged to that voice and that is so rare for me. Oh she stands so alone can never ever be replaced. Im a fan and had that song on my answering machine at one time all my friends in there late 20’s and early 30’s went crazy and were like me WHO THE HECK is that they all wanted to know ETTA I just wish the person who performed your song was more like Jennifer Hudson and paid homage to the one who SONG it really is I loved the duet she did with the originator of I am telling you Jennifer Holliday. I noticed every chance she got she mentioned Jennifer Holliday what a great tribute Miss Hudson paid her. I for one if I had the vocals of either one would not have went about it that way I found it such a disrespectful act I turned off the TV in disgust. She is not dead that was some BS and you know what I dont care who song it before Etta it is HER SONG her stamp is all over it so Tyra you sound just like the real Tyra dumb as heck. BYE BYE
This ugliness would have been prevented if Etta had behaved like an adult. No she took the low road like she has all of her career. Etta is a low rent pig. Her rant proved that she is bitter and jealous that she never achieved the kind of success that Beyonce has.
Etta is a rude bitch, basically what you call low rent. She has a great voice however, that doesn’t make up for the fact that she is disgusting. If Etta had a modicum of class she would have embrace her new found celebrity like Tony Bennet did when he was showcased on MTV’s unplugged. He was thrilled to have his music embraced by a new generation. But no this bitch gets upset and starts hurling insults because she has never achieved the level of success that Beyonce has. Beyonce is a mediocre talent. ETTA IS STILL A CRASS BITCH.
she is just stupid old bitch.Her time is gone.stupid old bitch james.She couldn’t catch a black cat in the afternoon,now she want to catch thesame cat at night.Go and die old whore
Lol PIG RUDE BITCH OLD BITCH ROFLMAO I sure would have like to see your three responses if you were in Ettas place you three sure handle and ride the HIGH rode and we all really arent personally involved I HOPE ROFLMAO WOW CRASS BITCH and whos not MATURE SWEEP AROUND YOUR OWN FRONT DOOR BEFORE YOU THINK YOU CAN EVEN BEGIN TO WALK ACROSS ETTAS. BYE BYE
Etta James is doing nothing but hating her time has past and its time for bigger and better things to take place she had her chance to do all her singing and stuff i do feel beyonce did a better job she has that young nice voice alot of people like she is 70 some thing years old it is time for her to let it go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Pure Soul Etta,
Don’t bother about a thing:
Let’s burn down down the cornfield. Go on whatever you’re doing. You’re voice is like the hemisphere I’d like to be. Thanks for giving light to my youth.
Peter from Holland
for starters Beyonce hits a note and hair stands up on the back of my neck. She did a way better job on “At Last” than Miss James. I have heard the song many times and never thought about purchasing it until Beyonce song it. And I bought the movie. although Miss James ought to be glad they didnt tell the whole story on her. You can go to school but you cant buy class. She’s got all that fame and NO CLASS. I have been listening to At Last by Beyonce since i bought it. and I just listened to it by Etta James online and there is no way i would’ve bought her CD or 8 track back then there is not as much feeling as beyonce. Its a great song Beyonce brought it to life. The girl got it going on. Dont hate Miss James that was a noble gesture for her to sing your song.
Greatings, Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.
AnnaHopn