- Four-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress was chosen to sing the anthem.
- Andress struggled to stay in tune and her voice cracked repeatedly.
- Countless fans online accused Ingress of delivering the “worst anthem ever”
It’s hard to dissuade patriotic Texans from listening to The Star-Spangled Banner, but four-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress nearly did just that before Monday’s Home Run Derby.
In what many described as “the worst national anthem ever,” the 32-year-old country singer transformed Francis Scott Key’s poem into a raucous, somber funeral march. At least one player, the Phillies’ Alec Bohm, cracked a smile during the rendition, while the crowd at Globe Life Field in Arlington quickly joined in to compete with Andress’ high-pitched, sparkling voice.
Many supporters reacted on social media by sharing photos of Donald Trump’s bleeding ear following the weekend shooting in Pennsylvania. Others simply made vague references to the failed assassination attempt, but the joke was clear nonetheless.
“Ingrid Andress’ national anthem might have been the worst thing to happen to America in the last 48 hours,” one person wrote on X.
Surprisingly, the All-Star crowd politely offered Andress a round of applause, though some intermittent booing could be heard during the ESPN broadcast.
Four-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress had difficulty singing the anthem on Monday
Several critics were reminded of other renditions of nightmare anthems, such as those by Roseanne Barr, Carl Lewis and Fergie.
‘Fergie vibes were in the building tonight,’ reads a post from Barstool Sports’ X account.
“I’m cringing,” one fan wrote on X. “This immediately joins the pantheon of the worst sports renditions of the national anthem. Roseanne Barr and Carl Lewis eat your heart out.”
Barr faced intense criticism after intentionally botching the anthem before a San Diego Padres game in 1990. He ended his performance by screaming the final notes and then grabbing his crotch.
Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of social media users were quick to offer their opinions on the anthem.
Phillies slugger and Home Run Derby participant Alec Bohm had a hard time containing his laughter.
Barr later claimed she was simply imitating a baseball player with the gesture.
Three years later, Olympic sprinter Carl Lewis’ infamous rendition of the national anthem sparked boos before a Nets-Bulls game in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie nearly lost her voice while performing the anthem during the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
He later apologized to fans.
“I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” she said in a 2018 statement.
“I’m a person who takes artistic risks, but clearly this performance didn’t strike the right tone. I love this country and honestly, I did the best I could.”