Beyonce took to the stage at the Grammys on Sunday night and belted out a touching rendition of Mahalia Jackson's "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Despite putting on a heartfelt show, the performance has been overshadowed by controversy with critics asking why Beyonce was selected to sing the gospel track over "Selma" actress Ledisi.
"I don't have a clue," Ledisi, who played Jackson (a gospel singer) in "Selma," told ET Online when asked about what some critics are calling a "snub."
Ledisi sang Jackson's song in "Selma," which was one of the highlights of the Academy award-nominated film.
Beyonce is said to have approached John Legend and Common, who performed their Academy award-winning song "Glory," about singing Jackson's song but did not consult Ledisi. The singer told AP that she was "a little disappointed"
"But I got over that and I had to look at the positive and empower women. We have to empower each other. It's a great thing. And one day I'll be on that Grammy stage. Every artist wants to be on the Grammys stage. That's part of our career is to be there. So my time will come when it's time," she told AP on the red carpet prior to Beyonce's performance.
She also gracefully told ET "what I will say and what I'm excited about is that I had the pleasure of playing an iconic figure in Selma, and the song, 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord,' it's been going on forever –starting with the queen Mahalia [Jackson], the queen of soul Aretha Franklin."
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| Beyonce's Grammys Rendition of 'Precious Lord, Take My Hand' Sparks Controversy; Ledisi Admits 'Disappointment' (VIDEO) |
Ledisi sang Jackson's song in "Selma," which was one of the highlights of the Academy award-nominated film.
Beyonce is said to have approached John Legend and Common, who performed their Academy award-winning song "Glory," about singing Jackson's song but did not consult Ledisi. The singer told AP that she was "a little disappointed"
"But I got over that and I had to look at the positive and empower women. We have to empower each other. It's a great thing. And one day I'll be on that Grammy stage. Every artist wants to be on the Grammys stage. That's part of our career is to be there. So my time will come when it's time," she told AP on the red carpet prior to Beyonce's performance.
She also gracefully told ET "what I will say and what I'm excited about is that I had the pleasure of playing an iconic figure in Selma, and the song, 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord,' it's been going on forever –starting with the queen Mahalia [Jackson], the queen of soul Aretha Franklin."
