Etta James was Just Kidding!

According to the Daily News Etta James was pulling Bey’s leg with her comments in Seattle.

“‘I didn’t really mean anything,’ James said. ‘Even as a little child, I’ve always had that comedian kind of attitude…’”

She did go on to admit that she was upset.

“James said she was ‘feeling left out of something that was basically mine that I had done every time you look around.’”

Though she doesn’t want to “whoop” Beyoncé she does think she could’ve sang the song better in the same circumstance which she finds to be a “shame.”

While I can believe that this was blown out of proportion and Etta’s comments were perhaps taken out of context I do think she could’ve displayed a little more diplomacy given the spectacular media scrutiny surrounding the Inauguration and the occasion.

If you’re a living legend, the predecessor and (in my opinion especially if you’re female) shouldn’t you at least publicly have a little more grace? There’s just no way you won’t appear salty/defensive if you aren’t down for the homage. You’re allowed one snide Grande Dame comment like, “I’m delighted to have so heavily inspired the child and can only hope she’ll irrevocably alter musical history as I have,”-type comment. This situation also sorta reminds me of when Mary dismissed Keyshia Cole from singing at her BET Honor’s Event. Not to get all Art of War but if I’m Mary, with Mary’s pipes, I think I’d have just let Keyshia sing and then happily and promptly blasted her out of the water with my own crazy powerful rendition. Keyshia would have no recourse other than to be happy. Otherwise she’s just being bratty. Point Blige.

Ladies, what do ya’ll think?