Singer Ingrid Andress says she was drunk during criticized MLB anthem performance, will get treatment
CBC
After a widely panned performance of the U.S. national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby, country singer Ingrid Andress apologized Tuesday and said she was drunk.
"I'm checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need," she wrote in an Instagram post. "That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition."
The MLB is not commenting, spokesperson Matt Bourne said.
A representative for Andress said there will be no additional comment at this time.
On Monday night, the four-time Grammy nominee belted an a cappella version of The Star-Spangled Banner, an incredibly challenging song to sing. Clips of her less-than-popular rendition at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, went viral.
Sports Illustrated writer Alex Carr posted on X, formerly Twitter, "I'm so sorry, I'm sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I think I've ever heard in my whole life."
Here's more to know about the incident and Andress.
Andress, 32, began her career as a Nashville songwriter, writing songs for performers across genres, including Bebe Rexha's Girl in the Mirror, Halestorm's Conflicted and the critically acclaimed Boys, which became an international hit for British singer Charli XCX.
Soon, she signed a deal with Warner Music Nashville and Atlantic Records for her own music, releasing her debut album Lady Like in 2020. Her breakthrough single More Hearts Than Mine proceeded the release, peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the list for 20 weeks.
In 2021, she released her second-biggest song to date, the country radio favorite Wishful Drinking, a collaboration with singer Sam Hunt. It also spent 20 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 47.
Her sophomore album, Good Person, was released in 2022.
Andress's performance quickly made the rounds on social media.
Vulture blogger Bethy Squires joked that Andress sang the anthem "in cursive," a reference to a popular internet neologism referring to pop singers stretching vowels and accentuating their vocal fry.
Chris Wright, the executive editor of Saturday Down South, was a bit more delicate: "I enjoy Ingrid Andress' music and have seen her in concert," he wrote on X. "After listening to that National Anthem, I have a newfound respect for her producers and sound crew. Wow."
