MLB

Social media reacts to national anthem performance by Ingrid Andress at Home Run Derby

The rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by the country singer at Monday's MLB Home Run Derby went viral for all the wrong reasons.

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Oh, say, can you hear?

Many who can were not pleased with the rendition of the national anthem by singer Ingrid Andress on Monday.

The four-time Grammy nominee performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Andress then announced on Tuesday that she was drunk during the performance and will be checking into a facility to get help.

Listeners immediately voiced their displeasure with the performance by the 32-year-old country singer on social media. Some grouped it into the category of one of the worst national anthem performances of all time alongside infamous renditions by Fergie, Carl Lewis and Roseann Barr and others…

Andress, a Michigan native who has released two albums, broke through in 2019 with her single "More Hearts Than Mine." She went on to earn three Grammy nominations in 2021 for Best New Artist, Best Country Song and Best Country Album for her debut record "Lady Like." She was nominated in 2023 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Wishful Drinking."   

Following the backlash for her anthem performance, Andress posted on social media Tuesday, revealing that she was drunk and issuing an apology.

"I'm not gonna b******* y'all, I was drunk last night. I'm checking myself into a facility to get the help I need," she wrote. "That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans and this country I love so much for this rendition. I'll let y'all know how rehab is I hear it's super fun."

There was a wide range of reactions to her post on X, which had over 6,000 reposts and 30,000 likes as of Tuesday afternoon.

"Hoping you receive the help you need. Takes a lot to admit this," wrote one user.

"Where was your team? How did they even let you go out in that state?," wrote another.

"The last sentence really doesn't make me feel you are sincere. Good luck tho," wrote another.

"Glad you are owning up to your problem and getting help. But rehab isn’t “super fun”. I’ve been to rehab. It isn’t fun: you have learn new emotions and how to handle it in real life," wrote another.

"Get sober, come back next year and nail it. @MLB let's give her an invitation back," wrote another.

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