On Sunday, Fergie sung a sultry rendition the National Anthem at the NBA All-Star Game (full performance is below). Here are a few the candid reactions from the sidelines.
And here’s the performance that caused the uproarious reaction.
Personally, I loved this surprising rendition, if only because it caught me by surprise. And hey: why not have some fun with the crusty ol’ Anthem? And roasting aside, it was great to see everyone having a laugh around something so controversial and divisive.
No politicians making a stink and leaving the arena, no controversial protests overshadowing the game itself… just something fun for a change.
Actually, others have been brutally roasted for non-traditional takes on the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’. That includes Flea the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who played a bass-only version in 2016. The outrageously unconventional rendition also drew some puzzled looks and lots criticism, though Flea stood his ground. In fact, that wasn’t the first time Flea has played the National Anthem on bass at the Staples Center.
Other performances have drawn far greater criticism. Roseanne’s 1990 performance the Star-Spangled Banner is regularly panned as horrific, and a protest piece gone awry. But even Roseanne panned Fergie’s performance on Twitter, perhaps hoping to relieve herself the ‘World’s Worst Anthem’ title once and for all.
