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.
Who is Ingrid Andress?
Andress, 32, grew up in Colorado. Her dad, Brad Andress, spent more than 20 years as a strength and conditioning coach in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and New York Mets, according to the Mets’ 2012 media guide.
Andress began her career co-writing songs for others. According to American Songwriter, Andress co-wrote “Boys” for Charli XCX in 2017, “Conflicted” for Halestorm in 2018 and “No Saint” for Lauren Jenkins in 2019, among other songs.
She released her first single, “Lady Like,” in 2019, and her debut album one year later. That album debuted at ninth on the Top Country Albums chart and her song “More Hearts Than Mine” broke into the top ten in Hot Country Songs. She also hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart.
At the 2021 Grammy Awards, Andress was nominated for best new artist, best country album and best country song. Two years later, she was nominated again for her single “Wishful Drinking.”
Andress is releasing a new single, “Colorado 9,” on July 24.
How did people react to the anthem?
On the field, Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm — who lost in the derby semifinal to former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernández, who went on to win — seemed to be hiding a smirk.
Andress’ Wikipedia page was quickly edited to say she was “awarded the worst national anthem performance at the 2024 Home Run Derby.”
The page was later changed to a more measured assessment: “The performance received criticism online.”
Even the Bartlett, Ill. police department got in on the ribbing. The department posted to X that anyone caught speeding or not wearing a seatbelt would be forced to listen to the anthem again.
Andress’ performance was instantly compared to Fergie’s performance at the 2018 NBA All-Star game, which she later apologized for.
“I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” the pop star said at the time. “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.”
“Worse than Roseanne,” some viewers commented, a reference to Roseanne Barr’s rendition of The Star Spangled Banner at a 1990 Padres game that had her plugging her own ears during her performance.
A performance of “O Canada” at the 2016 MLB All-Star game fell flat, too. Sung by British Columbia group the Tenors, quartet member Remigio Pereira changed the lyrics that followed “in all thy sons command.”
“We’re all brothers and sisters, all lives matter to the great,” he sang while holding up a sign that said “all lives matter” — a phrase associated with criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement.
In a statement, the Tenors said Pereira acted as a “lone wolf.”
The Canadian anthem was not sung at this year’s Home Run Derby.
