After an election that has left America more divided than ever, plans for President-Elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration are starting to take shape. We now know who will be singing the National Anthem during the ceremony — and it’s none other than America’s Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho.
The 16-year-old opera singer made the announcement on the Today show, as reported by TV Guide.
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“I have recently been asked by the President-Elect to perform the National Anthem for the swearing-in ceremony at the Inauguration,” she announced. “And I am so excited. It’s going to be awesome.”
When asked how it felt to be invited to perform, Jackie replied, “I felt really honored. To be able to sing for the office, it’s a great honor for me.”
She’s in good company because Beyonce performed the National Anthem at President Obama’s 2012 Inauguration.
Jackie has performed for Obama a couple times in the past. Looking back on that, she said, “That was awesome. I got to meet him. He was really nice, and I felt really honored to have the chance to perform for the President again.”
Check out the interview here:
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Jackie Evancho was the runner-up during season 5 of America’s Got Talent, the year that Michael Grimm, also a singer, won the grand prize.
But she didn’t go back into obscurity afterwards like so many acts do. She’s released multiple studio albums over the past five years, as well as an EP, live albums and concert DVDs. Her second Christmas album, Someday at Christmas, was just released in October, and her most recent non-Christmas project, Awakening, includes her version of “The Rains of Castamere” from Game of Thrones.
Reflecting on her success, she admitted that none of it has sunken in yet: “I kind of live in the moment. It doesn’t really register until years in the future.”
The President-Elect must be a fan of opera because along with Jackie, TMZ is reporting that Andrea Bocelli is in talks to perform at the ceremony as well.
Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday, January 20, 2017. Want more America’s Got Talent news? Like our Facebook page.
(Image courtesy of NBC)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
