Country singer Ingrid Andress sang the national anthem at the Home Run Derby on July 15. Unfortunately, her performance, which kicked off the popular MLB event, quickly went viral on social media for the wrong reasons.
The four-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter delivered the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2024 Home Run Derby held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. As she missed several notes, viewers and sports commentators took to social media to weigh in on the rocky performance. “The national anthem ahead of the 2024 Home Run Derby on ESPN by four-time Grammy-nominated artist Ingrid Andress was interesting, to say the least…,” the account Awful Announcing penned on X.
The national anthem ahead of the 2024 Home Run Derby on ESPN by four-time Grammy-nominated artist Ingrid Andress was interesting, to say the least… pic.twitter.com/p3HkV9Vcvg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 16, 2024
Throughout her career, Andress has been nominated for four Grammys, including best new artist, best country song and best country album in 2021. Two years later, “Wishful Drinking” was included in the category for best country duo/group performance.
Earlier today, she teased the beginning of a new era with the announcement of the upcoming single “Colorado 9,” releasing July 24. In the lead-up to the song’s release, she’s scheduled to play shows in Nashville on July 17 and Denver on July 24.
“My ears are bleeding,” one viewer wrote on X. “One of the worst national anthem renditions ever.”
“Well that was different,” wrote 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.
The national anthem ahead of the 2024 Home Run Derby on ESPN by four-time Grammy-nominated artist Ingrid Andress was interesting, to say the least… pic.twitter.com/p3HkV9Vcvg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 16, 2024
Many on social media were quick to compare the rendition to singer Fergie’s performance of the national anthem at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. At the time, the singer received criticism far and wide for the performance, which had a slower, jazzier edge.
“Fergie watching Ingrid Andress claim her crown for worst anthem of all time,” one viewer tweeted Monday.
“With all due respect, and I mean this sincerely, this is the worst anthem I’ve ever heard. Fergie would’ve been an upgrade,” wrote another.
Andress is a singer-songwriter who has had a number of hit songs and two albums since her first hit single, “More Hearts Than Mine” hit No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2020. She’s received four Grammy nominations thus far in her career, most recently for her 2021 song “Wishful Drinking,” which she sang with Sam Hunt. Her next single, “Colorado 9,” is being released July 24.