Ingrid Andress’ National Anthem Performance at 2024 Home Run Derby: Criticism and Controversy

[Arlington, Texas] Singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress faces backlash for “The Star-Spangled Banner” rendition

ARLINGTON, Texas — Singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress faced a wave of criticism and sparked controversy following her rendition of the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby. The performance, which took place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on July 15, 2024, quickly went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons.

Andress, a four-time Grammy-nominated artist, known for her country music career, stepped up to the mic to deliver the iconic song prior to the highly anticipated baseball event. However, her performance missed the mark, with many noting that she struggled to hit the right notes.

“Ingrid Andress‘ National Anthem performance at the 2024 Home Run Derby: Critics react,” tweeted one user, while another wrote, “You won’t believe Ingrid Andress’ rendition of the national anthem. #HomeRunDerby #NationalAnthem.” The camera captured visible reactions from players, including Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies, who was seen covering his mouth, trying to hide his laughter.

[Social media users took to Twitter and other platforms to express their surprise and disappointment, with many comparing it to other infamous performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Keep reading to find out how this story is developing and what people are saying.]

The backlash was swift and intense, with sports commentators and viewers taking to social media to weigh in on the unexpected turn of events. “It is impressive that Ingrid Andress missed every single note. That was painful to watch #HomeRunDerby,” tweeted one user, with another adding, “I’ve heard better singing in my shower #NationalAnthemFail.”

Sports Illustrated writer and podcast host, Alex Carr, offered a more measured critique, stating, “I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I’ve ever heard. #StarSpangledBanner #Music.”

[Related: Watch the video clip of Ingrid Andress’ performance and decide for yourself. Was it really that bad? Join the conversation online and share your thoughts.]

As the criticism mounted, many drew comparisons to other notorious renditions of the national anthem. Fergie’s infamous performance at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game and Roseanne Barr’s controversial take at a Padres game in 1990 were brought up in the online discourse.

Despite the negative reception to her national anthem delivery, Andress has had a successful music career. Hailing from Michigan, she rose to fame in the country music scene with her breakthrough hit, “More Hearts Than Mine,” and released two albums: “Lady Like” and “Good Person.” Her collaborations with Sam Hunt, including the track “Wishful Drinking,” have garnered multiple Grammy nominations.

[Ingrid Andress’ performance at the 2024 Home Run Derby may not have hit the right notes, but her career remains on an upward trajectory. Will this controversy affect her future endeavors? Stay tuned as we bring you the latest developments and reactions to this story.]

While the backlash was intense, it also sparked discussions about the challenges of performing the national anthem and the pressure artists face. With “The Star-Spangled Banner” being notoriously difficult to sing, the debate continues online, leaving Andress at the center of a viral moment that has sparked conversations about music, patriotism, and public scrutiny.