Skip to main content
Tags: fergie | apology | national anthem

Fergie Sorry for Sultry National Anthem, 'Tried My Best'

Fergie Sorry for Sultry National Anthem, 'Tried My Best'

Fergie sings the national anthem prior to the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

By    |   Tuesday, 20 February 2018 07:55 AM EST

Fergie apologized on Monday for her sultry version of the national anthem the night before that didn’t go over so well at the NBA All-Star Game, particularly on social media. Even Roseanne Barr chimed in.

Fergie, 42, acknowledged that her slowed-down jazzy version – as described by People magazine – didn’t strike the right note. Others described her take on the “Star Bangled Banner” as “sexy.”

"I've always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA," she said, per People. "I'm a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best."

People said the former Black Eyed Peas singer, whose real name is Stacy Ann Ferguson, seemed to struggle to hit some notes, while television camera captured a wide range of expressions of those on the court during the rendition.

"Something insane and terrible happened before tonight’s NBA All-Star Game," said Chris Thompson, a writer for sports website Deadspin. "No one will ever be able to explain it to my satisfaction. Even in the context of the NBA's disastrous, shriekingly awkward pregame nightmare, Fergie’s national anthem was an absolute abomination. A goose being strangled in your living room would produce a much more pleasant series of noises."

Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr, whose rendition of the national anthem in 1990 at San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium was roundly criticized as one of the worse, per the Sporting News, even criticized Ferguson's performance on Twitter.

That criticism joined a chorus of frowns on social media.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


TheWire
Fergie apologized on Monday for her sultry version of the national anthem the night before that didn’t go over so well at the NBA All-Star Game, particularly on social media. Even Roseanne Barr chimed in.
fergie, apology, national anthem
366
2018-55-20
Tuesday, 20 February 2018 07:55 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved