Fans of Beyonce rallied behind the pop diva on Twitter Tuesday after it emerged she lip-synched "The Star-Spangled Banner" at President Barack Obama's public inauguration ceremony the day before.

Beyonce performs the National Anthem during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the US Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Fans of Beyonce rallied behind the pop diva on Twitter Tuesday after it emerged she lip-synched "The Star-Spangled Banner" at President Barack Obama's public inauguration ceremony the day before.

The New York Times quoted a US Marine Band spokeswoman as saying that, just before Beyonce took the stage, its musicians learned that a version of the national anthem it pre-recorded with her the day before would be used.

"We don't know why," said the spokeswoman, Master Sergeant Kristin duBois. "But that is what we were instructed to do... It's not because Beyonce can't sing. We all know Beyonce can sing. We all know the Marine Band can play."

Beyonce's publicist did not respond to an email request from AFP for comment, but there was no shortage of reaction on Twitter in support of the songstress, who will play the Super Bowl half-time show in February.

"Who cares that Beyonce Lip #Sync the National Anthem, it was recorded live an hour before. You try singing in that cold," tweeted one fan, referring to Monday's near-freezing temperatures in Washington.

"Beyonce certainly acted like a diva ... but I don't see how that can be compared to Lance Armstrong cheating for 7 straight years at the least," said another Twitter user, referring to the disgraced cyclist.

"Beyonce is the best lip-syncer I've seen," added a third fan. "Because she surely fooled me."

The US Marine Band is the premier musical ensemble of the US Marine Corps. It's also known as the President's Own for its longstanding connection with the White House and important national events.

It played live for most of Monday's inauguration on the Capitol steps, but prior to any major event, it routinely goes into the studio to record its repertoire as a precautionary measure.

Source: AFP