Fergie apologises for NBA national anthem performance
- Published
It's fair to say Fergie's jazzy, slowed-down version of the Star-Spangled Banner at Sunday's NBA All-Star game wasn't a hit with everyone.
And now the US singer has apologised for her performance.
The singer told TMZ: "I've always been honoured and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA.
"I'm a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn't strike the intended tone."
She added: "I love this country and honestly tried my best."
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Star-mangled banner?
Social media went into meltdown as people reacted to the former Black-Eyed Peas singer's unusual version.
ESPN journalist Jemele Hill tweeted a clip from TNT's coverage of the event in Los Angeles, pointing out even NBA player Draymond Green could not keep a straight face.
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Memes were soon circulating, comparisons to previous singers were abound and #Fergie was trending on Twitter.
Some thought she was copying the breathy style used by Marilyn Monroe when she famously sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy.
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Another joked it would take some time to recover.
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It's not the first time Fergie has sung the US national anthem in public.
She performed the Star-Spangled Banner in front of the Obamas in 2009 at the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll.
Suffice to say, it was a much more traditional rendition and attracted far less attention.
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- Published19 February 2018
- Published25 September 2017
- Published19 February 2018
