Thursday, February 5, 2009

Etta Fierce


When you're a megastar like Beyonce, haters come with the territory. She's used to it, and she certainly doesn't need my sympathy. Still, it must suck to have a singer you admire dis you in public. This is the part where I say I saw this coming.

One of the lovelier moments of inauguration day was watching Beyonce serenade the Obamas with her version of "At Last," made famous by Etta James. Of course, Beyonce played Etta in the blink-and-you-missed-it film "Cadillac Records." At the time, I was sort of bummed that Etta didn't have the opportunity to sing at least part of the song during the Obamas' first dance. I know she doesn't have the pipes she used to, but I'm sure it would have meant a lot to her. Being left out had to hurt.

Turns out that she's pissed — really pissed. At a Seattle show, Etta blasted Beyonce and President Obama with both barrels, saying that Sasha Fierce was "going to get her ass whipped," and that Obama "ain't my president." While this pales in comparison to Christian Bale's F-bomb marathon, it's still mean. Sure, it must grate her to see a young, already-successful singer get so much attention for a song she rocked many years ago, but a) it's not Beyonce's fault that Etta didn't get her proper due and b) was it necessary to drag the president into this?

I guess you say what's on your mind when you're 71. And Etta James doesn't exactly have a reputation for being demure.

The rant is here.

11 comments:

That Hank said...

Did you see Cadillac Records? How was it? I've got it on my netflix list.

E. Peterman said...

I never saw it, but I think I have to now!

That Hank said...

I;d invite you over to watch it when it comes in, but it's like movie 105 on the list right now.

E. Peterman said...

Well, that gives us plenty of time! I still need to see that loopy Alicia Silverstone movie you told me about.

That Hank said...

Which one? Was it maybe actually a Reece Witherspoon movie?

E. Peterman said...

The one where she's kidnapped, I think. She made it shortly after "Clueless."

That Hank said...

Oh, yeah, I saw half of that movie, then walked out because it was so dang dumb. It only cost $1 and it wasn't worth that.

Anonymous said...

I heard Etta on the radio this morning...and it was quite hilarious. I mean seriously...I think Beyonce had it coming. Obama...not so much.

Zil said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zil said...

Yeah, I'm not particularly down with Beyonce, but the president invites you to sing, you sing...not really her fault. Plus, I believe I'd be careful messing with Jay-Z's wife, 71-year-old soul legend or not.

I was more troubled by the whole "not my president" thing...that's holding a serious grudge.

Oh, and I think that Alicia Silverstone movie is called Excess Baggage, which I saw and literally remember nothing about beyond the following: 1. she arranges her own kidnapping to piss off her rich but neglectful daddy 2. Car thieves or some other criminals somehow get up in the mix 3. The hired kidnapper is Benicio Del Toro, and at the time it was the first thing I'd seen him in after The Usual Suspects and I kept expecting him to still have that crazy Fenster accent.

E. Peterman said...

I hear you guys. It' s like anyone needs more Beyonce, but is Etta saying she hates her so much that she's joining the Palin 2012 campaign?