Can Fergie Nail the National Anthem on Monday Night Football? (Updated)
Categories: Talking Shit, Video
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| MiamiDolphins.com |
| Fergie performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" last fall at Sun Life Stadium. |
Given that other high-profile divas (Christina Aguilera, Cyndi Lauper) have had some issues lately with our national anthem, it's an appropriate time to evaluate what we might expect from the singer, born Stacy Ann Ferguson, who has shouldered plenty of criticism since joining the pop group for its 2003 album, Elephunk.
In actuality, Fergie has a wealth of experience performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in pressure situations and is no stranger to large NFL arenas, having performed with Black Eyed Peas at this past year's Super Bowl. Tonight's Monday Night Football broadcast, which will also feature performances by Hank Williams Jr. and the Bethune-Cookman University drumline, will be an opportunity for her to prove that she's still got what once got her an Easter performance at the White House.
Here is the evolution of Fergie's "Star-Spangled Banner" performances.
Fergie's performance at the 2006 Daytona 500 is the earliest clip we could find. All of the words are in place, and the clip mostly shows that NASCAR drivers have very short attention spans. "Red glare" is a bit piercing, but she really goes for it on "land of the free." Jeff Gordon isn't cringing, so we won't either.
Three years later, Fergie sings the national anthem for U.S. President Barack Obama and his family for the White House Easter Egg Roll. Again, "red glare" just drags out a bit, and the whole thing is a little slower. Maybe that coat was a little restrictive?
Just last September, Fergie sang "The Star Spangled Banner" as a duet with Marc Anthony before the Dolphins hosted the New York Jets at Sun Life Stadium. This is not great but mostly Anthony's fault since he seems to be the "lead." Wait for the end, when he opens up his sport coat just to belt out his final note.
Now, it's time for Fergie to come up big after what seems to be a decline in impact from her NASCAR beginnings. Earlier this year, she defended Christina Aguilera's mistakes during her performance of the national anthem at the Super Bowl (Aguilera nailed it in rehearsal), but Fergie will have plenty to answer for if she can't bring the goods tonight.
Update: No flubs on the lyrics, no shortage of passion, but a complete lack of restraint. This is our national anthem, and not "Sweet Child O' Mine."
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