Lady Gaga couldn’t hide her joy as she gave a powerhouse performance of the US National Anthem during Joe Biden’s Inauguration.
Following a prayer by Rev Leo Jeremiah O’Donovan III, the singer took to the stage to sing The Star-Spangled Banner on Inauguration Day.
Dressed in a voluminous black and red ensemble with a gold dove adoring her chest, the powerhouse vocalist delivered a typically moving performance.
The singer then took time to greet President Biden and former President Barack Obama as she made her way back into the Capitol building.
The Bad Romance singer openly supported Biden on the campaign trail in the run up to the election.
The 34-year-old, real name Stefani Germanotta, appeared at a drive-in rally in Pittsburgh ahead of the election, urging people to vote for Biden.
Gaga and Biden also worked together to create a PSA about sexual assault the It’s On Us campaign.
Taking to Twitter moments before she performed, Gaga wrote: ‘Singing our National Anthem for the American People is my honor. I will sing during a ceremony, a transition, a moment of change—between POTUS 45 and 46. For me, this has great meaning.
‘My intention is to acknowledge our past, be healing for our present, and passionate for a future where we work together lovingly. I will sing to the hearts of all people who live on this land. Respectfully and kindly, Lady Gaga.’
The day before the inauguration, the actress paused after rehearsals to ‘pray’ that the inauguration will be ‘a day of peace’.
On Instagram she said: ‘I pray tomorrow will be a day of peace for all Americans. A day for love, not hatred. A day for acceptance not fear. A day for dreaming of our future joy as a country. A dream that is non-violent, a dream that provides safety for our souls. Love, from the Capitol.’
Exiting Vice President Mike Pence attended the scaled-back ceremony, as well as former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama – joined by their respective first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama.
More stars will be on hand to virtually celebrate the new president in Celebrating America, a live broadcast being aired across several networks to replace the traditional celebrations that cannot go ahead due to coronavirus.
Tom Hanks is host the special, and it’s reported that there’ll be appearances from Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake and more.
