Maybe you haven’t heard, but this past weekend at the NBA All-Star Game, former Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie delivered one of the worst renditions of the National Anthem ever. This will definitely be the biggest news story of 2018.
What made it such a disaster? It wasn’t exactly the singing. After all, Fergie IS a professional singer. Most people took issue with the style and the delivery. Fergie went for a jazzy rendition of the song, and her breathy vocals had people comparing it to Marilyn Monroe’s performance of “Happy Birthday” for JFK.
See for yourself:
I didn’t think it was THAT bad. It’s nowhere near as atrocious as Roseanne’s performance at a 1990 baseball game, which should not be listened to around dogs or panes of glass. But this is the Internet, and any time a celebrity turns a lackluster performance, you know there will be takes.
First, lets turn to the Official Voice of Her Generation, Khloe Kardashian.
This All Star opening is confusing me. WTF is going on? Anyone?
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) February 19, 2018
Like a lot of All-Star games, this one wasn’t competitive, so a lot of people kept thinking about Fergie long after she finished.
Fergie’s national anthem finished 30 minutes ago and I still haven’t recovered. A part of me will never be the same.
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) February 19, 2018
One person wondered what it would be like to be a basketball player who listened to Fergie up close:
After hearing Fergie sing the National Anthem #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/ct8hgALts8
— NBA Be Like (@NBABeLike) February 19, 2018
Another, imagined being Fergie’s publicist.
Fergie’s publicist this morning. #fergienationalanthem pic.twitter.com/XBIBAiLtWZ
— Templeton Peck (@TempletonT123) February 19, 2018
If you didn’t bother watching the video, lots of players at the game were unable to hide how they felt about the song, and people noticed.
Draymond Green cracking up during Fergie’s national anthem ? pic.twitter.com/lPRTh7bmEy
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) February 19, 2018
LeBron was trying so hard not to laugh at Fergie #NbaAllStar pic.twitter.com/zY4MdmYGGm
— Josh Margolis (@MargolisNews) February 19, 2018
Celebrities, too.
Y’all talking about @Money23Green but @jimmykimmel was laughing way harder !!! Lol. ?????? #NBAAllStar #NationalAnthem #Fergie #NBAAllStar2018 pic.twitter.com/n1lf9CVuGC
— Kay Renee (@The_KayRenee) February 19, 2018
@chancetherapper when fergie was singing the national anthem is me pic.twitter.com/RetfznkcOo
— Michael (@richhomiecd_) February 19, 2018
Some folks noted that Beyonce was in attendance, and wondered how she might have felt about the incident.
Beyoncè standing on the court side as she watched Fergie’s performance #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/nGvrk99YsK
— جاويد • (@muva_ri) February 19, 2018
Beyonce saw Fergie butcher the anthem and immediately took the jet from Wakanda to save everyone.
— profloumoore (@loumoore12) February 19, 2018
And since Beyonce once DID sing the National Anthem at an NBA All-Star Game along with Destiny’s Child, someone dug up the video.
Hey Fergie! Got love for you, been a fan since Wild Orchid but take note. No player was laughing at #Beyonce #KellyRowland #MichelleWilliams ???♂️ pic.twitter.com/QJbkOwNBCR
— Terrence Lee (@TLeeOnTV) February 19, 2018
Roseanne herself even chimed in:
Who saw Fergie’s national anthem performance at the NBA All Star Game? I think mine was better lowkey
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) February 19, 2018
Fergie has since apologized for her singing, explaining that while it might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, her performance was sincere and heartfelt.
“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. “I’m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.”
Which kind of takes the wind out of everyone’s sails. But for a few minutes there yesterday, the takes were GOLD. We’ll just have to keep chasing that dragon until the next celebrity makes a mistake.
h/t: Elite Daily