Pageant singer Beyonce is under fire for using the voice of now-retired NASA public affairs officer Steve Nesbitt, who described the 1986 Challenger Shuttle disaster as it broke apart in the skies over Florida. Challenger exploded 73 seconds after lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 28, 1986. The explosion killed all seven crew members on board, including Christa McAuliffe, a civilian school teacher who was along for the ride.
Beyonce and her song writers carelessly included the audio clip as the intro to her song “XO” off her controversial self-titled album.
Family and friends of the Challenger crew, including former and current astronauts, are outraged that Beyonce used the audio as an obvious publicity stunt on her album.
When will she learn?
From Page Six:
The song “XO,” about a troubled relationship, features the voice of now-retired NASA public affairs officer Steve Nesbitt, commentating as the shuttle was seen breaking apart on live television.
“Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction,” Nesbitt is heard saying. The brief audio clip runs for six seconds.
“XO” was written and produced by Ryan Tedder and Terius Nash, who goes by the stage name The Dream.
Beyonce issued a statement: “My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster. The song ‘XO’ was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you.
“The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten.”
LISTEN
“XO” by Beyonce [audio:Beyonce-XO.mp3]
