So, it turns out Beyonce can sing. Or at least that previously reported clip played by Howard Stern on his radio show earlier this week isn't actually an example of her singing badly. The man who made the clip, art student Matthew Zeghibe, has revealed that he created it as a joke using sound manipulation software.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Zeghibe said: "It was just for a good laugh. It was a goof, just for fun. I do a lot of parodies on my YouTube channel, and it just so happens this one got a little out of hand".
However, he added that there was a serious issue behind his decision to make it. "I was just trying to make a point. I wanted to show people how easy it is to manipulate someone's voice. If I can do it with a clip I pulled off of TV, imagine what they are doing on records and during live performances. The entire industry has been so manipulated, because there's such an emphasis on perfection, so when something like this happens, it causes such a stir".
Beyonce responded by saying the she was grateful to Zeghibe because the clip helped to publicise two upcoming TV performances she is preparing for. Two performances where large numbers of people will presumably assume she is miming.