Pop singer Fergie responded to her widely criticized performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the NBA All-Star Game last weekend, saying she’d just wanted to do something special.

“I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem, and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” Fergie told TMZ. “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.”

While singing the national anthem on Sunday, Fergie went for a “sexy,” rock-esque rendition — but the people of Twitter weren’t having it.

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“I listened to Fergie singing her version of the National Anthem, and I have to say that she’s got quite a range of voice. She went from sounding like a garbage disposal with a bone stuck in it, to a puppy getting its tail stepped on, and back again,” one user tweeted.

“This is my first time hearing Fergie’s national anthem rendition and I’m dying at her trying to add some sultry jazz to it,” another wrote.

Some joked that Fergie’s questionable version of the national anthem was a protest against the country’s current state of affairs.

“Good morning to everyone but especially @Fergie for protesting the national anthem. We love an icon that takes a bold stance against injustice!” one Twitter user wrote.

“It felt like Fergie was singing the National Anthem sarcastically and in that way she was right,” comedian Joel Kim Booster tweeted.

Still, Fergie has at least one supporter — rapper Wiz Khalifa, who stood up for her performance.

“I liked Fergies national anthem. It was original and fun just like her. People didn’t like Jimi Hendrix’s version of the anthem at the time he did it but it later became legendary. Takes guts to be yourself,” he tweeted.

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