Stars rub shoulders with politicos

Beyonce drew a loud cheer from the audience Monday even before her impressive rendition of the national anthem.

The applause started when she took her place with husband Jay-Z at the Capitol to watch President Obama take the oath for his second term in office. The two stopped to chat with the Rev. Al Sharpton.

James Taylor kicked off the musical performances, strumming his guitar and singing “America the Beautiful.” Kelly Clarkson followed with an unusual arrangement of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Then Beyonce was introduced and the crowd again roared its approval.

The pop goddess may have been the star musical attraction, but she had plenty of company from Hollywood at the Capitol. Katy Perry and John Mayer sat side-by-side, with Miss Perry in an orange-striped coat and wide hat.

Actress Eva Longoria was seated on the platform outside the Capitol after making an appearance at a Kennedy Center performance Sunday night. (Miss Perry sang the night before, at the children’s concert.)

Former Boston Celtics great Bill Russell was in the crowd, too, along with actor Marlon Wayans.

Miss America Mallory Hagan says she made it to the inauguration on Monday despite the chilly weather.

In an interview Saturday, Miss Hagan had said she wasn’t sure if she would attend the public swearing-in ceremony Monday even though she had a ticket because “it’s going to be freezing.”

But on Monday she tweeted a photo of herself from the inauguration wrapped in a blue scarf with the words “bundled up!” She later tweeted that she was “proud to be an American.”

Miss Hagan, 23, a native of Alabama who lives in New York, won the Miss America title earlier this month.

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