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Fergie Suffers Backlash for ‘Sexy’ National Anthem Performance

The singer’s bluesy version of the patriotic song was compared to a burlesque routine.

Fergie’s bluesy rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game has triggered a stir on social media, but for all the wrong reasons. The singer’s unconventional delivery of the patriotic song—which some have compared to a burlesque routine or Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President”—triggered laughter and confusion at the sold-out Staples Center. Golden State All-Star Draymond Green was caught on camera open-mouthed and dumbfounded as Fergie sang, capturing the confusion among the crowd. Basketball stars and celebrities quickly divided into two camps on Twitter: those who appreciated her sultry, slowed-down performance, and those who ranked it among the worst national anthem renditions ever. Shaquille O’Neal was among those to come to Fergie’s defense, calling her performance “different” but “sexy.” Charles Barkley joked that he “needed a cigarette” after sitting through it, while Roseanne Barr said her own shockingly out-of-key performance in 1990 was “better.”