Yesterday (Jan. 21) the world was wowed by Beyonce's performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' during President Obama's second-term inauguration -- ear-piece-throwing, Broadway arm gestures and all. So get ready to have that happy memory destroyed.

It's now being reported that the performance was pre-recorded and Beyonce, President of the World, was lip-syncing. But even then the story isn't entirely clear.

Kristin DuBois, the United States Marine Band representative, told Page Six this was a last minute decision on Bey's part.

“All music is pre-recorded for the ceremony because there are so many eventualities and conditions that day,” she explained, “We performed, live, the band. But we received last-minute word that Beyonce was going to use the pre-recorded vocal track ... We all know Beyonce can sing ... We don't know why she chose to use the pre-recorded track."

The Washingtonian also reports that on Jan. 20, just one day before the big event, Bey posted a photo to her Instagram account showing herself in a recording studio holding a copy of the sheet music for the national anthem. And in another photo, "she sits in front of recording equipment while members of the Marine Corps Band stand clutching sheet music behind her."

Case closed, right? Cue the 'Law & Order' chungchung and call it a day.

Orrrrr maybe not.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Marine Corps band director Colonel Michael J. Colburn told the Washingtonian he couldn't confirm or deny the lip-syncing, but said Bey and the band "had decided Sunday night to use a precorded music track" since they couldn't get together for a full rehearsal. "She wasn't comfortable performing without a rehearsal, and I wasn't comfortable that either," he added. "We always knew that was a possibility."

Both Bey and Kelly Clarkson (who sang 'My Country 'Tis of Thee') did pre-recorded versions "in case weather, temperatures, or instrument problems arose at the last minute," but Colburn confirms Kelly actually did sing herself at the inaugural.

But back to Beyonce -- did she or didn't she? A tipster sent Jezebel the video below and a note reading:

"In this video, unlike CNN, ABC, etc., this recording isn't using the official mic-feed. The camera man was using his own mic, and he/she were so close that he could hear the mic feed over the speakers, AND Beyoncé's actual voice. That echo is the feedback, which is why she took her ear piece out. Yes, there's a back up track, but she is singing full out. Don't believe the Beytheists."

We're not sure exactly what a "Beytheist" is, but take a look at the video and decide for yourself:

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