You're reading: Beyonce, Hudson do star turns at inauguration

WASHINGTON — Beyonce drew a loud cheer at the inauguration Monday even before her impressive rendition of the national anthem. But in the role she played four years ago singing for the president and first lady as they danced at the inaugural ball was her "Dreamgirls" co-star Jennifer Hudson.

If
President Barack Obama’s first inaugural theme seemed to be summed up by
Beyonce’s “At Last,” this time it was Hudson’s version of Al Green’s
“Let’s Stay Together.” Obama crooned a few bars of the same soul song a
year ago at a fundraiser at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater.

Hudson
was among the entertainment at Monday night’s inaugural balls, joined by
Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys, who modified her hit “Girl on Fire” to
sing “He’s the president and he’s on fire … Obama’s on fire. Obama’s
on fire.”

The crowd at the official Inaugural Ball joined in with the Grammy-nominated fun. anthem “We Are Young.”

And Wonder got small knots of dancers going with crowd-pleasers such as “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.”

Earlier
in the day, the applause for Beyonce started when she took her place
with Jay-Z at the Capitol to watch Obama take the oath for his second
term in office. The two stopped to chat with the Rev. Al Sharpton.

James
Taylor kicked off the musical performances, strumming his guitar and
singing “America the Beautiful.” Kelly Clarkson followed with a
different arrangement of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Then Beyonce was
introduced and the crowd again roared its approval.

Beyonce had a
definite fan in Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who applauded
eagerly after she finished singing the national anthem. She offered
R&B-esque vocal riffs as she sang on and the crowd seemed to love
it, cheering loudly as she finished. Clarkson, too, hit some high notes.

Beyonce
may have been the star musical attraction, but she had plenty of
company from Hollywood at the Capitol on Monday. Katy Perry and John
Mayer sat side-by-side, with Perry in an orange-striped coat and wide
hat, and Mayer in dark sunglasses. Singer-songwriter Ke$ha was there,
too.

People flocked to the colorful pop star, snapping photos. And
Perry did the same, taking shots of “Girls” actress and daughter of
news anchor Brian Williams, Allison Williams.

Actress Eva Longoria
was seated on the platform outside the Capitol after making an
appearance at a Kennedy Center performance Sunday night. Perry sang at
the children’s concert the night before.

Former Boston Celtics great Bill Russell was in the crowd, too, along with actor Marlon Wayans.