Ingrid Andress says she felt like 'America's punching bag' after drunk national anthem performance
Country music singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress broke her silence for the first time on Thursday, nearly a year after she admitted herself to rehab following her admission that she had been "drunk" during her controversial national anthem performance at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby.
Andress, 33, appeared on "The Viall Files" podcast this week to discuss the fallout from her performance and what transpired just before she took the field at Globe Life Field in Arlington in mid-July.
"That day started as a very – what seemed like a normal day," Andress recalled. "At that point, like that day, I knew that I was drinking, but I was really loving the numbing feeling that I was having, and so I just didn't stop."
The four-time Grammy nominee explained that a recent split with her first manager and a breakup had prompted her to begin drinking excessively in the months leading up to her performance. She admitted that in her state at the time, she had been unaware of the crowd and fan reaction at home and had believed that she had "kind of nailed it."
"It wasn't until I woke up the next day where I was like 'OK, this is so unlike me. This is not OK. I need help,'" Andress said. "I didn't realize how much the video was going viral, because I had never experienced anything like that."
Andress later admitted in a statement she shared on social media that she had been "drunk" while singing the national anthem. She said on Thursday that she had shared the statement while on plane to rehab.
"I'm not gonna bulls--- y'all, I was drunk last night," her statement read. "I'm checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition. I'll let y'all know how rehab is, I hear it's super fun."
Andress said on Thursday that she had received an overwhelming amount of hatred and felt like "America's punching bag." She joked that because of the political climate at the time, she took some solace in knowing that she could at least unify people on one thing.
"I will say, at the time, politics was really bubbling, and I just feel like there was a lot of angst in general during that time. So, if anything, I feel like – I'm fine with being America's punching bag, because for one moment, everybody was united in the fact that that was awful. So I feel like I united America in a way."
Last month, Andress had the opportunity to redeem herself and performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at an NHL game in Colorado. She also released a new single earlier this week.
She said on Thursday that after her stint in rehab and time with her family at home in Colorado, she felt ready to return.
"I spent a lot of time with family, and then I was like, 'I think it's time to re-emerge.'"
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Refinery29
34 minutes ago
- Refinery29
I Took My First Trip To Nashville & Fell In Love With Country Music
I never thought I'd be two-stepping in Nashville with cowboy boots on, singing along to country music, but last weekend, there I was. After spending a few days at CMA Fest with SoFi, let me tell you, I get the hype now. As a native New Yorker, this was my first time in Nashville and my first country music festival. The best part? I got to experience it all with my boyfriend. It was his first time in Nashville too, which made it even more special. He went full rancher mode the moment we landed. I'm talking boots, hats, and attitude. I was calling him 'Cowboy Johnny' all weekend because he was really committed to the role. His cowboy alter ego was activated. Like so many millennial Black folks, I've never been a big country music fan (outside of Shania Twain, obviously) but since Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter (which deserves its own Grammy category, let's be real) which gave us a whole history lesson on the Black roots of country music, I've been dabbling more into the genre. And after Day 1 of CMA Fest, I was like… ohhh, this is kinda fire! There's something about the storytelling, the vocals, the vibes — it just takes you to a place of peace. Going with SoFi made the whole experience even more memorable. I've always known SoFi as the financial company helping people reach their money goals but I didn't realize how much they've expanded into lifestyle spaces. What really stood out to me was how SoFi is bridging financial wellness with culture. Their SoFi Plus membership doesn't just offer banking perks, it includes exclusive invites to VIP events & experiences nationwide, which is how I got the opportunity to attend CMA Fest with them. In addition to perks, they teamed up with country star Kelsea Ballerini to launch their Rising Star Program, offering grants to students and helping the next generation achieve financial independence. It's one thing to talk about empowering people, it's another to put action behind it. As for the music? A vibe. Watching Darius Rucker hit the main stage on Night 1 was surreal. I grew up knowing him from Hootie & The Blowfish, so seeing him take command of a country music festival was a full-circle moment. Black artists have always had a hand in shaping country music, legends like DeFord Bailey and Charley Pride paved the way but we haven't always been centered in the conversation. So to see artists like, Shaboozey, Tiera Kennedy, and Kashus Culpepper take the stage and bring their full selves? That meant something. They're part of a new generation redefining what country music looks and sounds like and I'm so here for it. Oh, and let's not forget the fashion. I knew I couldn't pull up to Nashville without proper fits. I found the cutest denim cowboy boots, paired them with matching hats, layered belts and chains, and added mini bags to complete the fits. It was giving Southern charm meets city girl aesthetic. Photo Courtesy of SoFi If I had to rate this trip, I'd give it a 10/10. I came for the vibes, stayed for the music, and left with a new playlist, a SoFi membership, and memories I'll never forget. Don't be surprised if my Spotify Wrapped is stacked with Kelsea Ballerini and Shaboozey.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Steph Curry will return to Tahoe celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood in summer 2025
Steph Curry will return to Tahoe celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood in summer 2025 Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Steph Curry's hole-in-one at Tahoe celebrity golf tournament Steph Curry's ace on the 152-yard hole No. 7 was his second ever and first in a tournament. Reno Gazette Journal After taking 2024 off from the celebrity golf tournament, Steph Curry will be back at Edgewood Tahoe for the 2025 event. Curry, the 2023 American Century Championship winner, is back in the field to defend his 2023 title in the 36th annual tournament July 9-13 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. The Golden State Warriors star had to miss the events in 2024 to play basketball for the gold-medal-winning Team USA at the Paris Olympics. In the 2023 American Century Championship at Edgewood, Curry drained an 18-foot putt on hole No. 18 to take a dramatic win over Mardy Fish. Fish won the ACC in 2024. When Curry won the ACC in 2023, he made a hole-in-one on the 152-yard 7th hole, followed by a celebratory sprint from tee to green, which was among the most prominent viral sports video highlights of 2023. It will once again be a Curry family affair with Dell and Seth Curry also joining the celebrity field of 90 sports and entertainment stars. The tournament will feature Hall of Famers from the NFL, NBA and MLB, active and retired players, and Hollywood actors, comedians and entertainers. The three-day, 54-hole event includes a $750,000 purse, with $150,000 going to the winner, plus a charity component for local and national nonprofits. The celebrity golf tournament includes fan favorites Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, Travis and Jason Kelce, Colin Jost, Miles Teller, Ray Romano, Nate Bargatze, Larry the Cable Guy, Brian Baumgartner and Jack Wagner and Jim McMahon. Those last two are the only players who have competed in every tournament. Current NFL stars include 2024 MVP Josh Allen; first-timer George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers; Aaron Rodgers; Baker Mayfield; Davante Adams; Kyle Juszczyk; Adam Thielen; Trevor Lawrence; Matt Ryan; and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. NFL Hall of Famers participating at Edgewood include Jerry Rice, Steve Young, John Elway, Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Tim Brown, Brian Urlacher, DeMarcus Ware and Dwight Freeney. Retired MLB superstars include Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Hall-of-Famer Joe Mauer, Kevin Millar, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. More top players competing are Annika Sorenstam; Joe Pavelski, the former Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks center; MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz; former Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe; and NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen. The 2025 American Century Championship will utilize the Modified Stableford format whereby points are awarded by score per hole. The event will be televised by NBC Sports, GOLF Channel and Peacock over the course of the three days. Since its inception in 1990, the American Century Championship has donated more than $8 million to local and national non-profits including the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a 500-person, nonprofit basic biomedical research organization.
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
AGT contestant's journey from living in her car to golden buzzer wows everyone
Charity Lockhart will have quite the story to tell at her 50th birthday party later this year. The 49-year-old singer, who appeared on 'America's Got Talent' on June 10, went from being stopped by judge Simon Cowell midway through her set to earning a golden buzzer just minutes later. Now, she has hopes of winning America's largest talent show and, one day, earning herself a Grammy. And she has quite the story to go along with her ambitious goal. As is tradition on the show, Lockhart shared her story and reason for auditioning — arguing that, while she loves singing and loves music, she primarily does it for her two kids. She then joked that she's raising two 'little' children: a 27-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son. Following a divorce years ago, Lockhart says the trio were forced to live in a car while she performed at clubs and bars to make ends meet. 'All I had was my voice,' she told the audience as her two kids looked on. 'I asked live bands if I can sing with them, and they would give me a little money at the end of the night.' The family's first big break came when Lockhart won a local singing competition — which she joked was not as big as the stage she was standing on now. 'We won a monetary reward, and that gave us our first apartment,' she said to a crowd of cheers. According to her website, Lockhart won $1,000 in that competition in Arizona. She went on to create an Aretha Franklin tribute show that she says was approved by the Franklin family. The show was regularly performed on cruise ships and was 'rated one of the best-received acts on the international waters,' per her website. Prior to her audition, Cowell encouraged Lockhart by telling her that 'anything is possible' when you have talent. 'So, we are all honestly rooting for you right now. Come on!' he said. Lockhart's AGT audition starts off on the wrong foot For her first song, Lockhart sang an a capella of Judy Garland's 'Over the Rainbow.' Her talent was obvious, but she was cut short after just 30 seconds as Cowell put two hands in the air and asked her to stop. 'I stopped you because I like you, but it just wasn't working for me,' Cowell said to a crowd of boos. 'Have you got another song?' Cowell asked, giving Lockhart a chance at redemption. For her second song, she performed a version of 'Golden Slumbers' by The Beatles — this time with background music. 'Look, I really want this to work for you. And I know this is a lot of pressure. But come on, you've got it in you. Let's hear the other song,' Cowell said before she started singing. Sofía Vergara's jaw dropped 30 seconds later, and Cowell's jaw followed. And that was before she started hitting whistle notes. Mel B liked it so much that she was the first to stand up and cheer when the song ended — and the entire audience (including Cowell) followed. 'This is what a great audition is all about,' Cowell said. 'You know when people are going to talk about you the following day — that was one of those auditions. It was that good.' Mel B uses her second golden buzzer of the season As for Mel B, she had a golden look in her eye the entire performance. 'Oh man, you know what, every once in a while you see somebody, you connect with them and they just bring more and more to the table,' she said. 'I think you're amazing and I want to give you this right now,' she said — pressing the golden buzzer. The 'golden buzzer' is a button that AGT judges can press when they are so impressed by an act that they want to send them directly to the live shows. You can watch the golden moment in its entirety below: It was Mel B's second use of the buzzer this season after sending the Messoudi Brothers straight to the live shows during the second night of auditions. 'Oh, I know instantly,' she told NBC Insider of her golden buzzer sense. 'Both my golden buzzers, I knew. And I'm like, 'Nobody on the desk knows that I'm gonna buzz?' I even went to everybody else to see what they thought. I played it well,' she added, per NBC News. Live shows begin airing Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
