Beyoncé, Shakira Perform At “We Are One” Concert For Barack Obama

In a continuing effort to make the best Abraham Lincoln fanfic evaar, a smattering of celebrities gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the “We Are One” concert to celebrate President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration tomorrow.

Barack and Michelle Obama showed up looking quite elegant and well put-together in their winter coats, not looking weepy and windblown like we always manage to do. Denzel Washington was the first of the many celebrities on hand to give a speech, choosing the theme of unity. Bruce Springsteen performed a song he’d written after 9/11, still pretending to be at all in touch with working class America, and not just a millionaire who happens to often wear sleeveless shirts from time to time. Actress Laura Linney also gave a speech,accompanied by Martin Luther King Jr.’s son, and Tom Hanks gave a lecture about - Who else? - Abraham Lincoln. Poor Millard Fillmore. Still not his year. 

Ohter celebrity performance included James Taylor, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Will.i.am, U2, Stevie Wonder, Usher, Shakira and, of course, Beyoncé. Miss B (Sasha Fierce was more of a Nader supporter) performed a mellismatic “America the Beautiful,” prompting a forlorn Abraham Lincoln to silently lament that he’d been expecting “Single Ladies.” To which Mary Todd replied, “AAArghgghghhhh! Ladies? You wouldn’t touch a lady if it were dressed as a gerbil and covered in KY.” She so crazy. 

Shakira does her best Mary Todd impression.

Check out Beyoncé’s rendition of “America the Beautiful:”

Star-Studded ‘We Are One’ Concert Sets The Tone For Obama Inauguration [MTV]