Former Rare Staff
On Sunday, Fergie sang the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game and her rendition was…interesting.
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The former Black Eyed Peas songstress opened up Sunday night’s NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles with a jazzy rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” that had everyone from Khloe Kardashian to Chance the Rapper fighting to keep their bewilderment at bay. Clad in a fitted, lacy black dress and strappy heels, the 42-year-old singer dished out a breathy rendition that left some audience members laughing outright while others saved their confusion for social media.
The backlash was intense, but now Fergie herself is speaking out, telling TMZ: “I’ve always been honored 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. I love this country and honestly tried my best.”
A source told US Magazine shortly after the fiasco that “neither Fergie nor her team thought anything was wrong with her national anthem rendition,” adding, “That’s the way she sings a lot of her songs. She loves adding a little sexiness and being different with her riffs. It was meant to be jazz-inspired. She wanted to stand out.”
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Roseanne Barr wasn’t a big fan of Fergie’s rendition either.
The outspoken actress, who is often remembered for famously shouting the “Star Spangled Banner” at a 1990 baseball game, shared her review of the Black Eyed Peas singer’s performance with a scathing tweet during the game on Sunday.
“Who saw Fergie’s national anthem performance at the NBA All Star Game? I think mine was better lowkey,” she wrote.
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
Fans will remember that Barr actually ended her performance with an every-so-ladylike crotch grab. Classy.
