Ingrid Andress of Southfield says she was drunk when she sang the MLB anthem
She apologized and said she would get treatment.
After her widely criticized performance of the U.S. national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night, Michigan-born country singer Ingrid Andress apologized on Tuesday and said she was drunk.
“I am checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans and this country I love so much for that portrayal.”
The MLB is not commenting, said spokesman Matt Bourne.
On Monday night, the four-time Grammy nominee, who was born in Southfield but raised in Colorado, belted out an a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” an incredibly challenging song. Clips of her less-than-popular performance at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, went viral.
Sports Illustrated writer Alex Carr posted on X (formerly Twitter): “I’m so sorry. I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but I think that was one of the worst national anthems I’ve ever heard in my entire life.”
Andress was born in Southfield and lived in Metro Detroit for several years as her father, Brad Andress, was the Detroit Tigers’ strength and conditioning coach from 1990 to 1999, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Before joining then-manager Sparky Anderson on the Tigers, he was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Michigan, where he earned his master’s degree.
Brad Andress, who grew up in Ohio and played college football at Penn State, took a job with the Colorado Rockies in 2000 and moved there with his family. He later worked for the New York Mets.
Read more about the incident and Andress here.
Who is Ingrid Andress?
Andress, 32, began her songwriting career in Nashville, writing songs for artists across all genres, including Bebe Rexha’s “Girl in the Mirror,” Halestorm’s “Conflicted” and the critically acclaimed “Boys,” which became an international hit for British singer Charli XCX.
Soon after, she signed a deal with Warner Music Nashville and Atlantic Records for her own music and released her debut album, Lady Like, in 2020. Her breakthrough single, “More Hearts Than Mine,” came ahead of the release, peaking at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
In 2021, she released her second most successful song to date, the country radio favorite “Wishful Drinking,” a collaboration with singer Sam Hunt. The song also spent 20 weeks on the charts, peaking at number 47.
Her second album “Good Person” was released in 2022.
What was the reaction to your performance at the MLB Home Run Derby?
Andress’ appearance quickly made the rounds on social media.
Vulture blogger Bethy Squires joked that Andress sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” “in italics,” a reference to a neologism popular on the Internet that refers to pop singers who stretch vowels to emphasize the sound of their voice.
Chris Wright, editor-in-chief of Saturday Down South, was a little more sensitive: “I like Ingrid Andress’ music and have seen her in concert,” he wrote on X. “After listening to the national anthem, I have a whole new respect for her producers and sound team. Wow.”
This is not the first time that a performance of the national anthem has been panned.
In the pantheon of the most controversial renditions of the national anthem at sporting events, Roseanne Barr’s rendition at a San Diego Padres game in 1990 and Fergie’s at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game elicited similar reactions.
After her performance, Fergie released a statement: “It has always been an honor and pride for me to sing the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” said the Grammy winner. “I like to take risks artistically, but this performance clearly did not hit the intended tone. I love this country and I honestly did my best.”
Barr responded to Fergie’s performance, writing on Twitter at the time: “Who saw Fergie’s performance of the national anthem at the NBA All Star Game? I think mine was more subtle.”
Suspected Turkish drone attack in Sulaimaniyah leaves two injured
.png "Love Island’s Samatha Kenny reacts strongly to Joey Essex dumping Grace Jackson for a sex bomb")
Love Island’s Samatha Kenny reacts strongly to Joey Essex dumping Grace Jackson for a sex bomb
Republicans see great opportunity in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District
About The Author
