The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Fergie’s NBA national anthem confuses, amuses
LOS ANGELES — Fergie tried something different with her national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game, and not everybody was cheering.
The Black Eyed Peas singer’s slow, bluesy rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” Sunday night wasn’t particularly well received at Staples Center or on social media.
A low chuckle rumbled through the sold-out arena after Fergie finished the first line of the song with a throaty growl on “the dawn’s early light.”
Fans throughout the star-studded crowd reacted with varying levels of bemusement and enthusiasm while her languid, 21⁄2-minute version of the song continued. Although Fergie was on pitch, her tempo, musical accompaniment and sexy delivery were not exactly typical for a sporting event or a patriotic song.
Golden State All-Star Draymond Green captured the mood — and became an instant GIF — when he was shown open-mouthed on the scoreboard and the television broadcast in apparent confusion over the unique vocal stylings.
After a forceful finish, Fergie finally got big cheers when she shouted, “Let’s play some basketball!”
The Grammy Award-winning singer, born Stacy Ann Ferguson, is from nearby Hacienda Heights, California.
Famed basketball commentator Charles Barkley joked that he “needed a cigarette” after Fergie’s performance during the TNT halftime show.
Former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal leaped to Fergie’s defense, saying: “Fergie, I love you. It was different. It was sexy. I liked it. Leave her alone.”
Others on social media weren’t as kind, with criticism of the performance outpacing the positive reviews.