Pop star Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem during Joe Biden’s swearing-in as US president on 20 January, with Jennifer Lopez also performing at the largely virtual event. The two music icons will headline an inauguration, with security stepped up in Washington against threats by extremist supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump after they attacked the US Capitol last week in a bid to overturn the results of the election.
Local authorities are asking people to stay away from the ceremonies to lessen the chances of unrest—and of the swearing-in turning into a Covid-19 superspreader event.
The 90-minute “Celebrating America” inauguration show will be hosted by Tom Hanks and feature more musical performances, from Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake and Demi Lovato, and will be broadcast on all major US networks, US media reported.
Gaga and Lopez will perform during the ceremony itself, held on the steps of the Capitol building. Gaga has been a vocal supporter of Biden, appearing at his campaign finale in Pittsburgh in November; Lopez too has been outspoken in recent months about Covid-19 relief efforts. WITH AGENCY INPUTS