Ingrid Andress goes to rehab after “drunken” performance of the national anthem: Latest

Country singer Ingrid Andress announced Tuesday that she is entering rehab after her heavily criticized performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Monday night at the annual baseball Home Run Derby, which was held this year in Arlington, Texas.

In a statement shared on social media, Andress admitted that she was drunk at the time of the performance before apologizing to her fans.

“I’m not kidding you, I was drunk last night,” wrote the 32-year-old singer. “I’m checking myself into a clinic today to get the help I need. That’s not how I was last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans and this country I love so much for that performance. I’ll let you all know how rehab is, I hear it’s super fun.”

Andress’s label Atlantic Records declined Yahoo Entertainment’s request for comment, but a spokesperson confirmed that the singer’s upcoming shows in Nashville (July 17) and Denver (July 24) have been canceled and that “the venues are in contact with ticket purchasers regarding refunds.”

Andress’ upcoming single “Colorado 9” will be released on July 24th.

🎤 A night to forget: What happened at the Home Run Derby?

The four-time Grammy nominee – best known for singles such as “More Hearts Than Mine” (2019) and “Feel Like This” (2022) – struggled to hit many of the high notes as she sang the song at Globe Life Field, where the event took place.

The singer took some artistic liberties, resulting in a discordant, erratic performance that left many baffled and disappointed. When she finished, Andress gestured to her in-ear monitors and seemed to suggest that she might not be able to hear her vocals very well.

❌ The backlash came quickly

This moment instantly became a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons. Critics and fans didn’t hold back in expressing their disapproval. Some called the performance “brutal,” while others questioned Andress’s professionalism.

“The worst national anthem performance ever,” said one tweet, summing up a widely held opinion, with some even going so far as to say their “ears bleed” after hearing her sing.

Commentators also pointed out that at least one of the baseball players at the derby laughed during their performance.

Cincinnati Reds sportswriter C. Trent Rosecrans compared the performance to Whitney Houston’s “iconic” performance at the 1991 Super Bowl, which is often considered the gold standard of the song.

“Remember Whitney Houston’s performance of the national anthem at the Super Bowl?” Rosecrans wrote. “This is the exact opposite.”

Others were more playful in their criticism and compared the performance to that of Maya Rudolph in an episode of Saturday Night Live. Some were even there, SNLHeidi Gardner should try to imitate the artist.

🤲 Good wishes pour in

Shortly after Andress announced her decision to enter rehab, she received an outpouring of sympathy and support from her fans, with some saying they were seeing the situation “in a whole new light,” while others applauded her.

“I wish you all the best and hope you get the help that is best for you right now,” MSNBC’s Michael Steele wrote on X. “Maybe you’ll get another chance to show us why you were chosen to sing our national anthem in the first place!”

“Great admiration for Ingrid Andress for speaking out so openly and seeking help,” added NPR’s Scott Simon. “She has a lot of courage. Good luck.”

Grammy-nominated country singer Ty Herndon posted a video message on social media reminding his fans, “It’s so easy to jump to conclusions, criticize and judge.”

“You never know what’s going on with people, and you just never know what they’re going through,” Herndon said. “I just want to say that I’m really proud of you, Ingrid Andress, for embracing your situation and seeking the help you need to live the most successful and beautiful life possible.”

🎶 Singing teachers react: Why is the national anthem so difficult to sing?

Singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a notoriously difficult task, even for experienced performers.

Broadway singing coach Tracey Grimaldi told Yahoo Entertainment, “It’s not a song you can sing without really good preparation. It’s an octave and a half range, or 12 pitches to be exact. You have to know what the first note is, otherwise you can easily get out of key.”

This is especially true if you sing a cappella (without musical accompaniment).

“It’s a really difficult song to sing. Everyone knows if you miss a word or a note, it’s because you’re nervous,” she said. “You can do something a million times in your bedroom or in the shower, but it’s not the same as going out and doing it in front of everyone.”

Singing teacher and YouTuber Tara Simon noted that not everyone can keep up with the acclaimed performances of Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Demi Lovato or even Meatloaf – and that’s okay.

“The song has such an emotional impact and therefore creates very high expectations,” Simon, whose work can also be found on the Tara Simon Studios app, told Yahoo Entertainment.

However, when Simon heard about Andress’s struggle with alcoholism, he stressed that “context and compassion are important in these things. You never know what someone is going through.”

“I just wish everyone would be nicer to people in general (and) just go, well, that wasn’t so greatthen enjoy the game,” Grimaldi said. “If it wasn’t great, anyone criticizing them should record themselves singing the national anthem a cappella and post it. If they can do better, they’re done.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).