Latin artist Nezza expressed her immense pride in performing the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium, declaring that she has “no regrets” about her choice. Her unexpected 90-second rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” took place before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the San Francisco Giants, generating significant buzz on social media. This performance coincides with growing frustrations among Dodgers fans regarding the team’s perceived insufficient support for immigrant communities affected by deportation raids across the United States, particularly in the Los Angeles area.
Nezza shared her emotional connection to the moment, stating, “This is my moment to show everyone that I am with them, that we have a voice and with everything that’s happening it’s not OK.” Initially uncertain whether to sing in English or Spanish, she made her decision upon seeing the stands filled with Latino families, emphasizing the need for representation.
The version she chose, “El Pendón Estrellado,” is the official Spanish translation of the anthem, commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt from Peruvian American composer Clotilde Arias in 1945. Despite receiving feedback from Dodgers staff that the anthem would be performed in English, Nezza moved forward with her heartfelt rendition.
Following her performance, Nezza reported that her manager received a call suggesting they may not be welcome back at the venue. The Dodgers, however, denied this claim, stating, “There were no consequences or hard feelings from the Dodgers regarding her performance. She was not asked to leave. We would be happy to have her back.”
Although Nezza expressed doubts about returning to the stadium, she hopes her performance serves as inspiration for others to raise their voices in support of their communities. “It’s just shown me how much power there is in the Latin community,” she reflected.
Adding to the conversation, player Enrique Hernández expressed his discontent over the situation in the country and the community through a heartfelt Instagram post, advocating for the respect and dignity every individual deserves.
Nezza’s performance and the reactions it sparked highlight the importance of community support and the empowerment of marginalized voices in today’s society, offering a hopeful reminder of the strength in unity and activism.