Fergie on national anthem backlash: 'I'm a risk taker'
— -- Grammy-winning singer Fergie spoke out Monday about the backlash she has received online after performing the national anthem at Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game.
Fergie defended her controversial rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
"I've always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA," she said in a statement to ABC News.
Fergie, born Stacy Ann Ferguson, added that she is a "risk taker."
"But clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best," she said.
Toward the end of her performance at the 67th All-Star Game, players on both sides of the court and fans in the stands could be seen as clearly thrown by the unique take. All-Stars Draymond Green and Steph Curry were captured laughing, as was Chance the Rapper.
This was by no means the first time someone has been criticized for singing a version of the anthem fans weren't satisfied with.
Roseanne Barr, who performed the anthem in 1990, joked on Twitter that she thinks she actually sang the song better than Fergie.
