WASHINGTON (US) – During the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Joe Biden next week in Washington, singing sensations Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez will perform in what his transition team said would show before the world the diversity of the United States.
The duo will perform during the event, which will also feature remarks from a black firefighter from Georgia, a former Youth Poet Laureate, a Catholic priest and a pastor from Wilmington, the hometown of Biden.
While Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem, Lopez will give a musical presentation.
“They represent one clear picture of the grand diversity of our great nation,” said Biden’s team on Thursday.
The presenters reflect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ “steadfast vision of a new chapter in our American story in which we are an America united in overcoming the deep divisions and challenges facing our people, unifying the country, and restoring the soul of our nation,” it added.
In the wake of the incidents at the US Capitol, the public will not be on hand to view the swearing-in ceremony at the West Front of the building, which has now been protected by fencing, barriers and is watched by thousands of National Guard personnel.
While announcing the inauguration speakers, Biden’s transition team made a reference to Lady Gaga’s championing of LGBTQ rights and health issues and Lopez’s work in raising awareness about the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Latinos.
The others to grace the stage are firefighter Andrea Hall of Fulton County, Georgia, and Los Angeles native and 2017 National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. Former Georgetown University President Father Leo O’Donovan and Reverend Dr. Silvester Beaman of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church – who are close to the Biden family, will also speak on the occasion.