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Jabs At Beyonce Were A Joke, James Says

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2009

Etta James says she was joking when she said she "can't stand Beyonce" and would "whip" the singer for performing James' hit "At Last" at an inaugural ball for President Barack Obama.

The 71-year-old singer tells the New York Daily News she "didn't really mean anything" by her remarks at a concert last week.

James says: "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. ... That's probably what went into it."

Even so, James says it stung that she wasn't asked to sing her most famous song on the historic night.

James says she liked Beyonce's version but thinks she could have done a better job. She says it's "a shame to say that."

Beyonce portrayed James in the film "Cadillac Records" last year.

Simpson Struggles On 'Off Night'

A bizarre 38-minute set by opening act Jessica Simpson inadvertently stole the spotlight from headliner Rascal Flatts in a show at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Grand Rapids Press said Simpson forgot her lyrics, struggled with her ear monitors, mumbled through songs and fought back tears during Thursday night's performance.

At one point, the 28-year-old singer-actress asked her backing band to start over on one song, and she forgot the words to another.

"Jessica had an off night," Cindi Berger, a representative for Simpson, said Friday. "She's a perfectionist, and wanted to start some of the songs over. She always wants to give her best performance to her fans."

Simpson apologized to the supportive audience of about 9,000 by mouthing the word "sorry" on two large video screens.

Bale Admits He Was Being A Jerk

Christian Bale says he acted like a "punk" and that his profane tongue-lashing on the set of "Terminator Salvation" was inexcusable.

In Friday remarks on a Los Angeles morning radio show, Bale said he never intended to get physical with cinematographer Shane Hurlbut.

Bale also told the "Kevin and Bean" show on KROQ 106.7 that he and Hurlbut reconciled and worked together for another month following the tirade.

The outburst, which occurred last year on the set in New Mexico, was posted this week on the celebrity gossip site TMZ.

Today's Birthdays

Comedy writer Robert Smigel is 49. Country singer Garth Brooks is 47. Actor-comedian Eddie Izzard is 47. Actor-comedian Chris Rock is 44. Actress Essence Atkins is 37. Actor Ashton Kutcher is 31. Actress Tina Majorino is 24.

Source: The Associated Press

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