Four-time Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress became a hot topic on social media after her performance of the national anthem during the opening of the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby went viral on TikTok.
After a barrage of backlash and ridicule, the singer went on Instagram and X to give an honest, no-bullsh*t explanation. She revealed that she was drunk that night and would be checking herself into a facility to get help.
Ingrid Andress MLB Home Run Derby Performance
Andress kicked off the event held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, singing “The Star-Spangled” Banner, and it quickly went awry. In a video shared on X, formerly Twitter, the singer was heard straining to hit the higher notes and, at some points, even fell flat. She also embellished it with riffs that were unfortunately off-tune. On top of those, she seemingly struggled to catch her breath.
Stadium singing is easier said than done… Ingrid Andress sings The national anthem at the 2024 Home Run Derby. Bless her heart, she tried 🫶#HomeRunDerby #IngridAndress pic.twitter.com/CDgmjcR3Ii
— Epic Sports (@epicsportscom) July 16, 2024
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As the camera panned to the players, Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm was caught trying hard to hold back a smirk. The rest were seen covering their mouths to keep themselves from laughing.
The performance was immediately slammed on X and immediately went viral on TikTok.
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One user called it the worst they had ever heard, while another one questioned how she got her Grammy nominations and thought she sounded “purposefully” awful. A user even joked that Andress “managed to bridge the divide with her national anthem performance, bringing together both sides in shared sentiment.” She was also compared to the previous singers who performed the song, including Fergie.
Ingrid Andress may have actually just sang the worst National Anthem I’ve ever heard.
— 🧢🪄 (@haydensity) July 16, 2024For You
Ingrid Andress just sang the worst National Anthem I have ever heard. How does she have any Grammy nominations? It sounded like she was being purposely awful
— Justin Groshon 🌰 (@Justin4_OSU) July 16, 2024
In a rare moment of unity amidst our nation's political turmoil, Ingrid Andress managed to bridge the divide with her national anthem performance, bringing together both sides in shared sentiment.
— Alan Hicks (@adhicks) July 16, 2024
Back in 2018, Fergie sang the anthem at an NBA All-Star game, and she was heavily criticized. Fans and listeners thought it was “too slow and breathy.” Fast-forward six years, and her crown has been passed on to Andress. And one user shared how they imagined Fergie’s reaction would be hearing the news.
Fergie watching Ingrid Andress claim her crown for worst national anthem of all time pic.twitter.com/GCKdILwQsE
— 𝙻̷𝚞̷𝚜̷ 📯 (@Theylovelus) July 16, 2024
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But some were forgiving of her, noting that she might have been nervous.
On X, the singer apologized to the MLB and all the fans as well as to the country that she loved so much for her rendition. She concluded it with a fun note, saying, “I’ll let y’all know how rehab is. I hear it’s super fun.”
Ingrid Andress’ bio currently reads, “4-time Grammy-losing singer-songwriter.” While the singer has had a rough past few days, we hope to see her better next time.
