Photos: Hollywood A-list turns out for Biden inauguration

A full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion. The Grammy winner wore a huge dove-shaped brooch and an impressively billowing red sculpted skirt as she sang into a golden microphone, delivering an emotional and powerful rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’

She was followed at Wednesday’s ceremony by Jennifer Lopez, dressed all in white, who threw a line of Spanish into her medley of ‘This Land is Your Land’ and ‘America the Beautiful’ — a pointed nod to multiculturalism, just two weeks after white supremacists and other violent rioters stormed the Capitol in an effort to undermine the peaceful transfer of power.

Country star Garth Brooks, doffing his black cowboy hat, sang a gospel-tinged, soulful a capella rendition of ‘Amazing Grace,’ his eyes closed for much of the song. He asked the audience to sing a verse with him: “Not just the people here, but the people at home, to work as one united.”

The three superstars were among a slew of glittery celebrities descending on Washington — virtually or in person — to welcome the new administration of Biden and Kamala Harris, a duo popular in Hollywood, where former President Donald Trump was decidedly not. While stars mostly eschewed Trump’s inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden.

While the podium was full of high-wattage star power, there was little question that a new star had also emerged: 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman, whose poise and urgency as she recited ‘The Hill We Climb’ enthralled a global audience.

None other than Bruce Springsteen launched the evening’s entertainment: ‘Celebrating America,’ a 90-minute, multi-network broadcast hosted by Tom Hanks that took the place of the usual official inaugural balls, with Biden and Harris watching along and giving brief remarks. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ in front of the Lincoln Memorial. “I will provide for you, and I’ll stand by your side,” he sang. “You’ll need a good companion, for this part of the ride.”

Hanks, also at the Lincoln Memorial, spoke of “deep divisions and a troubling rancor in our land” over the past few years. “But tonight we ponder the United States of America, the practice of our democracy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of our Constitution, the hope and dreams we all share for a more perfect union,” he said.

Jon Bon Jovi contributed a rendition of ‘Here Comes the Sun’ from Miami, and Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake performed ‘Better Days’ from Memphis. John Legend sang ‘Feeling Good’ in Washington; Foo Fighters sang ‘Times Like These’ in honour of teachers, and Demi Lovato performed ‘Lovely Day’ along with doctors and nurses in Los Angeles.

A starry collection of Broadway’s most prominent musical actors collaborated on a medley of ‘Seasons of Love’ from the show ‘Rent’ and ‘Let the Sun Shine In’ from ‘Hair,’ among them Christopher Jackson, Reene Elise Goldsberry, Laura Benanti, Betty Buckley and Javier Munoz. ‘Hamilton’ creator Lin-Manuel Miranda (pictured) recited from ‘The Cure at Troy’ by Irish poet Seamus Heaney.

The proceedings ended with a lavish fireworks show in the Washington night sky, watched by Biden (at the White House) and Harris (at the Lincoln Memorial) and their families to — what else? — ‘Firework,’ performed by Katy Perry.