A viral moment emerged from Monday night’s Home Run Derby even before the game commenced. Grammy-nominated artist Ingrid Andress performed the national anthem at the event, held on July 15 in Arlington, Texas, but her rendition has been widely criticized on social media.
Andress, 32, sang the anthem a cappella at Globe Life Field, taking artistic liberties with various notes throughout the song. Reactions on social media were overwhelmingly negative.
“My ears are bleeding,” one viewer posted on X. “One of the worst national anthem renditions ever.”
“Well, that was different,” commented another.
“I’m so sorry, I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I think I’ve ever heard in my whole life,” wrote X user Alex Carr.
Many compared her performance to singer Fergie’s widely criticized rendition of the anthem at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, which had a slower, jazzier style.
“Fergie watching Ingrid Andress claim her crown for worst anthem of all time,” one viewer tweeted.
“With all due respect, and I mean this sincerely, this is the worst anthem I’ve ever heard. Fergie would’ve been an upgrade,” said another.
Andress, a singer-songwriter with several hit songs and two albums, first gained popularity with her 2020 single “More Hearts Than Mine,” which reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She has earned four Grammy nominations, most recently for her 2021 song “Wishful Drinking” with Sam Hunt. Her next single, “Colorado 9,” is set for release on July 24.