The Priceless Sideline Reactions to Fergie’s National Anthem Performance at the NBA All-Star Game

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Fergie signs the National Anthem, NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 18th)

On Sunday, Fergie sung a sultry rendition of the National Anthem at the NBA All-Star Game (full performance is below).  Here are a few of the candid reactions from the sidelines.

Update, Mon Feb 19th 3:30 pm PT: Fergie has now offered a statement after singing the controversial rendition of the Anthem:

“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.”

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Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

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Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)

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Draymond Green (con’t)

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Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)

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Steph Curry (con’t)

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Chance the Rapper + Snoop Dogg

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Chance the Rapper + Snoop Dogg (con’t)

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Chris Rock

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Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)

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Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

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Jimmy Kimmel

And here’s the performance that caused the uproarious reaction.

Personally, I loved this surprising rendition, if only because it caught me by surprise.  And hey: why not have some fun with the crusty ol’ Anthem?  And roasting aside, it was great to see everyone having a laugh around something so controversial and divisive.

No politicians making a stink and leaving the arena, no controversial protests overshadowing the game itself… just something fun for a change.

Actually, others have been brutally roasted for non-traditional takes on the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’.  That includes Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who played a bass-only version in 2016.  The outrageously unconventional rendition also drew some puzzled looks and lots of criticism, though Flea stood his ground.  In fact, that wasn’t the first time Flea has played the National Anthem on bass at the Staples Center.

Other performances have drawn far greater criticism.  Roseanne’s 1990 performance of the Star-Spangled Banner is regularly panned as horrific, and a protest piece gone awry.  But even Roseanne panned Fergie’s performance on Twitter, perhaps hoping to relieve herself of the ‘World’s Worst Anthem’ title once and for all.