J.HUD LIP-SYNCED SUPERBOWL PERFORMANCE

// February 2nd, 2009 // Hott News

but still a good perf, all-in-all

The show’s producer insisted: “I would never recommend any artist go live.”

By John Charles Reedburg

Shocked but not disappointed.

In the first performance since her family tragedy became public last fall, JENNIFER HUDSON sang a breathtaking rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before the Super Bowl last night. The performance was almost as touching as, say, Yo-Yo Ma and company at President Obama’s inauguration. See the parallel?

It turns out that Miss Hudson lip-synched yesterday to a prerecorded track of her singing – and producer Ricky Minor didn’t even try to deny it. He admitted that he’s the one who insisted Hudson should not sing live, saying:

“That’s the right way to do it. There’s too many variables to go live. I would never recommend any artist go live, because the slightest glitch would devastate the performance.”

Minor also produced Whitney Houston’s legendary 1991 performance of the national anthem, which is already being compared to Hudson’s. It begs the question: Was Houston lip-synching, too? Minor’s attitude toward live singing would indicate that he might have given Houston the same advice as he gave Hudson, but he didn’t comment on it.

Adding to the already burdensome pressure of Hudson’s national anthem performance was, of course, the fact that it was her first public appearance since her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew were murdered in October.

Minor said, “This was such an important performance, because it’s the first time everyone has seen Jennifer. But she’s in such a great place, with such great spirits, and time can heal her wounds. She’s on fire right now and totally grounded.”

After she finished the national anthem, Hudson asked Minor how the performance went. He told her, “Touchdown!” artist go live.”