Tonys2025: Kristin Chenoweth reveals advice given to Cynthia Eribo
Christine Chenowes has emotional thoughts about how the “wicked one” turned out and reveals the advice she gave Cynthia Eribo in Tony.
Christine Chenowes may be Broadway royalty, but NBA fans weren’t fascinated by the national anthem performance.
The Oklahoma-born singer and Tony Award winner played “Star Spangled Banner” in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, June 22nd. Towards the end of the national anthem, 56-year-old Chenoweth held long, opera-style high notes to applause before closing her rendition.
Many viewers at home weren’t sold entirely on Showtune Flair.
“This is the worst anthem I’ve ever heard,” one user wrote.
“They got me from an opera singer who is making the national anthem I have completed,” writes another.
“Listening the national anthem in that part,” one user captioned a GIF of Nenelik, who seemed visibly surprised.
“They invited the girl who sang the national anthem in Spanish and sang there,” one fan mentioned R&B singer Netza’s recent performance of “Starspangle Banner” at a Dodgers baseball game in Los Angeles.
While no one shared Chenowes’ love for musical theatre, her Oklahoma City Thunder still pulled out victory and brought home the city’s first title, beating the Indiana Pacers 103-91.
“With Fergie”: Other infamous national anthem
Critic users added, “This national anthem is with Fergie,” calling back to the infamous production of the national anthem.
Fergie’s 2018 performance at the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles sparked a lot of criticism at the time, leading the singer to “explain to TMZ at the time.”
Other recent infamous interpretations include country music singer Ingrid Andress, who played the national anthem “Drunk” at the MLB Home Run Derby in 2024, and the version of the public enemy rapper flav in the 2023 Milwaukee Bucks games.
