American singer Fergie broke her silence on Monday, Feb. 19, after her rendition of the national anthem at Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game sparked controversy.
The singer apologized for her performance, adding that she attempting to take a risk and to try something new.
The performance by Fergie, (her real name is Stacy Ann Ferguson) was a slower more “jazzy” take of the anthem, but it appeared that even the celebrities and athletes at the game couldn’t handle it.
Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green was among those spotted on camera laughing while the singer completed the anthem.
Other players looked confused at what was happening, such as fellow Warriors star Stephen Curry and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
Social media users called her rendition of the anthem the “worst in history.”
In Sunday’s tight match, team LeBron, led by LeBron James, defeated Team Stephen, led by Stephen Curry.
“When we sat with the union and we came up with this format, we all agreed, let’s not turn something that’s 100 percent positive into a potential negative to any player,” Silver said. “But then … maybe we’re overly conservative, because then we came out of there, and the players were, ‘We can take it. We’re All-Stars. Let’s have a draft.’ So it sounds like we’re going to have a televised draft next year.”
