Singer Issues Apology for On-Air Expletive During US National Anthem

A singer issued an apology following an incident on live television where she swore and “messing up” her rendition of the US national anthem. Loomis’s performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at an independent candidate debate on Wednesday, which was broadcast live across TV station C-SPAN, radio, and online platforms, led to widespread mockery on social media. On Saturday, Loomis addressed the event in an Instagram video, referring to it as a “mishap.” She extended her apologies to the Free and Equal Elections team, the organizers of the debate, stating: “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to mess up the national anthem.” She further explained, “This has been something I’ve been scared of since I was a little girl… I was scared I was gonna fail and then I did, and the world’s seen it.” Footage from the event depicts her becoming visibly flustered on stage, seemingly missing a note. Following the lyric “and the rocket’s red glare,” she uttered an expletive and asked: “Can I go back, can I go back please?” The singer only realized at that moment that the performance was being broadcast live. She remarked, “I got too nervous,” later during her performance. This performance has led to comparisons with earlier incidents during renditions of the US national anthem. Specifically, some observers drew parallels between Loomis’s delivery and Fergie’s widely discussed performance of the song at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Fergie had commented then that she’d ”wanted to try something special for the NBA” but that it “didn’t strike the intended tone.” A TikTok user commented under Loomis’s performance, stating: “Fergie has officially earned her retirement.” Additionally, country singer Ingrid Andress faced online ridicule for her rendition of the national anthem at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby in July. The following day, she disclosed that she had been intoxicated while singing the song.