Popular country singer Ingrid Andress has been widely torched after a highly questionable rendition of the Star Spangled Banner ahead of a baseball event in Texas.
In fact, her performance was so bad, some players were spotted laughing, there were jeers from the huge crowd, and social media dubbed it the “worst National Anthem” of all time.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Ingrid Andress murders Star Spangled Banner at baseball event.
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Sports Illustrated writer Alex Carr wrote on social media: “I’m so sorry, I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I think I’ve ever heard in my whole life.”
Andress was handed the job of singing the anthem ahead of the MLB’s Home Run Derby event at Arlington’s Globe Life Field in Texas.
The even it is part of the MLB’s All-Star Week and features veterans and young stars in a battle to hit the most home runs.
Things started badly for Andress — a Grammy-nominated star — during her anthem performance, and it’s fair to say they got worse … and worse … and worse.
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm couldn’t help himself and broke out laughing during the anthem.
Of course, memes quickly followed, and with Donald Trump’s assassination attempt fresh on everyone’s mind, images of a bloodied ear were quick to surface.
“That Ingrid Andress national anthem might have been the worst thing to happen in America in the last 48 hours,” one critic blasted on X (formerly Twitter).
And baseball journalist Michael Schwab said: “My ears are bleeding. One of the worst national anthem renditions ever.”
While another fan joked: “Tough week to be an ear in America.”
And another: “First Trump’s ear, now ours.”
And another: “Absolute embarrassment. Players were laughing!”
And another: “What a disgrace. What, was she a pinch hitter for real talent? That physically hurt to listen to.”
Andress is certainly no slouch in the industry.
She has performed with Aussie legend Keith Urban and other universally loved music icons such as Stevie Nicks.
She is also about to release a new single called Colorado 9.
But her performance joined the conga line of bad anthem performances in the States, namely from comedian Roseanne Barr (1990), sprinter Carl Lewis (1993) and former Black Eyed Peas star Fergie (2018).
Fergie even issued a statement after her howler and apologised to the country.
“Fergie thanks her for taking the prize (of worst performance,” Schwab said.
But not all were on board with that assessment.
“Rosanne still has the prize, but she’s right up there,” a fan weighed in.
“Carl Lewis will not be denied,” another fan said.