Photo: Wenn
In a move that might prove to be slightly ill-advised, Justin Timberlake has used a Saturday Night Live sketch as an opportunity to mock the recently deceased Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
Posing as Elton John, Timberlake opened the show with a parody reworking on ‘Candle In The Wind’, John’s tribute to Princess Diana.
“You said the US caused earthquakes and you outlawed Coke Zero. And on your shoulder sat your parrot with a matching red beret,” he sang in a pitch-perfect imitation of Elton.
In another line he included the Chavez’s statement that ‘capitalism killed Mars’, and concluded by singing: “You were a hero to your people and you never gave up a fight. We’ll miss you Hugo Chavez, because live from New York it’s Saturday night.”
While Chavez was indeed a hero to the Venezuelan people, many around the world also saw him as the only true socialist leader and loved and respected his method of government.
Venezuela has been in mourning since the [resident last his battle with cancer last week.
Watch the Saturday Night Live sketch below
Meanwhile, Timberlake recently revealed that Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd had been big inspirations for his new album, The 20/20 Experience.
Speaking to Capital FM Timberlake said: “When we were making the record I said, ‘if Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin can do 10-minute songs and Queen can do 10-minute songs then why can’t I? We’ll figure out the radio edits later.”
The 'Mirrors' star will be headlining this year's Wireless festival alongside Jay-Z in what will be the pair's only UK festival appearance.
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