Fergie Acknowledges NBA All-Star Game National Anthem Fail

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.