NEW YORK (AP) – Jay-Z’s electrifying reunion with Alicia Keys on what appeared to be a live duet of Empire State of Mind at the Tony Awards was actually pre-taped, a show official who wasn’t authorised to speak publicly told The Associated Press.
The appearance of the rapper in support of Keys’ musical Hell’s Kitchen led to a boost of excitement inside the arena but it now appears it was a piece of Hollywood trickery, undercutting the Broadway communities’ full-throated embrace of live singing and dancing.
A representative from Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and a producer at White Cherry Entertainment did not return messages seeking clarification on what happened on Sunday night. A senior publicist for the telecast also did not return requests for comment on Monday.
Hell’s Kitchen, which won two awards – for star Maleah Joi Moon and Kecia Lewis, who plays her mentor – is loosely based on Keys’ years growing up in that Manhattan neighbourhood and contains old hits and new songs from the singer-songwriter. Keys is a producer but doesn’t appear in the show. The show ends with a rousing edition of Empire State of Mind.
Each best new musical nominee at the Tony Awards gets a slot performing and Hell’s Kitchen was first, with the cast playing a medley of songs – including her hit Fallin’ – from the show.
Then Keys appeared at the piano on the stage of the David H Koch Theater in Lincoln Center and began singing her and Jay-Z’s 2009 smash. She soon got up and went down the steps of the stage and into the orchestra seat section and out the side of the auditorium – “Had to do something crazy. It’s my hometown,” she explained to the crowd – moments later apparently joining the rapper on some of the venue’s marble steps to wild applause.
“Brooklyn, New York City in the Tonys tonight!” Jay-Z signed-off at the end.
The audience and media was inside the auditorium and no photos have surfaced of the two performers live. A version of the two finishing the song was beamed to the TV audience and a video screen inside the venue. Keys wore the same outfit she was wearing onstage. Jay-Z was never spotted entering the packed auditorium.
