Beyonce began her press conference Thursday with a rousing rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner." Sung live of course. Following her last note she faced the gathered press and asked, "Any questions?"
The superstar hadn't spoken publicly since it was alleged that she lip-synched the national anthem at President Barack Obama's inauguration last week.
"I decided to sing along with my pre-recorded track," she revealed happily, finally putting the did she/didn't she question to rest and calling the inauguration " Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE very important and emotional for me, one of my proudest moments."
The singer went on to say that "due to weather, due to delay, due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable risking it. This was about the president and I wanted to make him and my country proud."
When it comes to Sunday's much-hyped half time extravaganza, the star and wife of rapper Jay-Z left little doubt as to whether she would be performing live or not: "I will absolutely be singing live. This is what I was born to do. I am well rehearsed."
On exactly what the set list would contain or who would be joing her onstage she was more circumspect, saying that she couldn't give any details in advance.
There has been plenty of speculation about Beyonce's Super Bowl performance, including reports there would be a Destiny's Child reunion with Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland (Williams has since shot down such speculation). Fans are also curious about whether hubby Jay-Z will join her onstage, as they often do for each other's shows.
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The star would also not be drawn on who she thinks will win Sunday's match between the Ravens and the 49ers, but did say that the one thing she is looking forward to following her performance is spending more to with her one-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.
Die-hard fans can also expect some other performance news following her final bow this weekend. Of future plans for a full-scale concert tour, the "Killing Me Softly" singer said: "Soon! I may have an announcement after the performance. Fans should stay tuned."
"I'm so anxious," she said of the pressure to perform Sunday.
Beyonce has teased photos and video of herself preparing for the show, which will perhaps be the biggest audience of her career. Last year, Madonna's halftime performance was the most-watched Super Bowl halftime performance ever, with an average of 114 million viewers. It garnered more viewers than the game itself, which was the most-watched U.S. TV event in history.
