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'Hamilton' Star Christopher Jackson Flubs MLB National Anthem With Wrong Lyrics at Mets Game
History The baseball community has its eyes on Christopher Jackson.
As MLB’s Opening Day kicked off across the country on March 26, New York Mets fans took notice after the Hamilton star flubbed the lyrics to “The Star Spangled Banner” ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
During the rendition, Christopher left out the words “O'er the ramparts we watched,” instead repeating the previous line’s lyrics, “Whose broad stripes and bright stars.”
Given the Tony nominee’s extensive theater experience, he was able to recover on the fly and smoothly work his way toward “were so gallantly streaming” before finishing the tune without any other hiccups.
However, the irony of this happening to the person who originated the role of President George Washington in the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical was not lost on some superstitious Mets fans.
As one social media user put it on X, “George Washington from Hamilton messing up the National Anthem at Citi Field opening day feels like a BAD omen for this season.”
Another viewer added, “You can’t mess up the national anthem when the thing you are most famous for is being GEORGE WASHINGTON!!!”
Of course, Christopher isn’t the first star to make headlines with his rendition of the national anthem. In 2011, Christina Aguilera forgot an entire line of the song while performing at the Super Bowl.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Plus, Fergie received waves of criticism after she delivered a slow-jazz rendition of the Francis Scott Key song during the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
"I've always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” the Black Eyed Peas member told TMZ after the event. “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."
While some celebrities have given some memorable mess-ups while performing “The Star Spangled Banner,” others delivered perfect renditions. Read on to see the best Super Bowl national anthem singers of all time.
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Chris Stapleton
The country music singer kicked off Super Bowl 2023 with a powerful rendition of the National Anthem.
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Eric Church & Jazmine Sullivan
For 2021, Super Bowl LV brought together the country crooner and R&B artist for a special rendition of the National Anthem.
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Whitney Houston
The New York Giants might've won 1991's Super Bowl XXV, but Whitney Houston was the standout star to many fans. Her rendition of the National Anthem backed by The Florida Orchestra is one of the most iconic Super Bowl performances of all time...it even reached number 20 on Billboard's Hot 100 List.
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Natalie Cole
In 1994, Natalie Cole appeared at Super Bowl XXVIII alongside the Atlanta University Center Chorus to sing the National Anthem.
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Luther Vandross
When Super Bowl XXXI took over New Orleans in 1997, the R&B singer performed a memorable rendition of the National Anthem as Miss Louisiana 1996, Erika Scwarz Wright, accompanied him by doing sign language for the song.
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Cher
In 1999, the "Believe" singer belted out the "Star Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami and we're shocked she hasn't made this a regular gig.
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Faith Hill
Faith Hill performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Next time we vote for Hill teaming up with her husband Tim McGraw for a Super Bowl performance we'd never forget.
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Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys sang the National Anthem in perfect harmony at Super Bowl XXXV in 2001 in Tampa, Florida.
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Mariah Carey
In 2002, the "We Belong Together" singer performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans.
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The Dixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks took the field in 2003 to perform the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego and it was totally empowering to watch.
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Beyoncé
In 2004, Beyoncé performed at Super Bowl XXXVIII in her hometown of Houston making the event even more memorable.
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U.S. Armed Forces Academy Choruses
In 2005, at Super Bowl XXXIX, the National Anthem was performed by the combined choirs of the United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Coast Guard Academy, accompanied by the United States Army Herald Trumpets.
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Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville
Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville both demanded our respect when they performed at the 2006 Super Bowl in Detroit.
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Billy Joel
The piano man himself sang the National Anthem at the 2007 Super Bowl in Miami and not many have been able to achieve his flawless execution level while singing this song.
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Jennifer Hudson
Former American Idol star Jennifer Hudson performed at the Super Bowl in 2009 in Tampa, Florida.
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Carrie Underwood
In 2010, Carrie Underwood sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in Miami and she shined in her white and silver outfit.
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Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera belted it out as she performed at the 2011 Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas.
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Kelly Clarkson
In 2012, Kelly Clarkson took the field to perform the National Anthem in Indiana and if you didn't think she had a killer voice before she took the stage, you definitely knew it after she was finished.
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Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys brought her legendary voice and her trusty piano to the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans.
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Idina Menzel
Frozen star Idina Menzel sang at Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona in 2015 and she definitely let it go.
Lady Gaga
Leave it to Lady Gaga to take over the historic Super Bowl 50 stage and slay it in an epic Americana ensemble as she sang the National Anthem in 2016 in Santa Clara, Calif.
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Luke Bryan
In 2017, country superstar Luke Bryan took the field to perform at Super Bowl 51 in Houston, Texas.
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Pink
The "So What" singer wowed the crowd as she took to the field to perform during the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis. Pink was actually battling the flu during her performance, but was still able to deliver a legendary rendition.
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Gladys Knight
The iconic artist gave us chills with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem during the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta.
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Demi Lovato
In 2020, Demi took to the field at the Hard Rock Stadium to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner." For her performance, which earned rave reviews, Lovato donned a white Sergio Hudson pantsuit complete with a belt.
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