(DailyAnswer.org) – A rendition of the U.S. national anthem in Spanish at a Dodgers game by Vanessa Hernandez, stage name Nezza, has sparked intense controversy and debate.
At a Glance
- Nezza sang the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium, receiving backlash and threats.
- The singer claims she defied a request to perform in English, leading to a viral TikTok video.
- Her decision was influenced by political events, coinciding with “No Kings” protests and ICE presence.
- Nezza voices pride in her American identity and intends to advocate for positive change.
Anthem Performance and Controversy
Vanessa Hernandez, known as Nezza, decided to sing “El Pendón Estrellado,” the Spanish version of the U.S. national anthem, at a Dodgers game. This decision prompted backlash, including severe death threats. Nezza claimed a team official urged her to perform in English, advice she disregarded. Notably, she shared a TikTok video capturing the request’s refutation.
The controversy intensified when she appeared wearing a Dominican Republic shirt, further fanning perceptions of dishonor. Despite the backlash, Nezza insists her motives were not promotional and that her filming was purely for sound check purposes, clarifying the incident post-performance.
Nezza reveals she’s received death threats after singing national anthem at Dodgers game in Spanish https://t.co/Yf7aN9p6OO pic.twitter.com/XwMFiDYlcn
— New York Post (@nypost) June 19, 2025
Backlash and Community Support
Nezza’s performance aligned with political events, as ICE’s presence in Los Angeles and protests against a military parade coincided with the Dodgers game. Despite the hostility she faced, Nezza firmly believes the Spanish lyrics mirror the anthem’s English rendition.
“We are going to do the song in English today” – team employee.
Despite the vitriol, she has found solace in support from celebrities within the Latin community. Nezza treasures this support more than any criticism. Subsequently, sports teams like NWSL’s Angel City F.C. have demonstrated support for immigrant communities, contrasting with the Dodgers’ position on Nezza’s performance.
Nezza’s Advocacy and American Identity
Nezza remains steadfast in her American identity, reassuring that dissent does not equate to disloyalty. She asserts that part of her Americanism involves striving for a better country. However, she feels unwelcome at Dodger Stadium post-performance, despite the team denying any sanctions.
“That’s just the internet. That’s going to come with something like that. Anything that involves politics is going to include a death threat here and there” – Nezza.
She shared her experience with “No Kings” protests, alongside her performance’s alignment with significant national milestones, further illustrating her political undertones. Nezza continues to face scrutiny but remains undeterred in her mission for improvement and recognition of communal diversity.
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