Tony-winning actress breaks silence after polarizing NBA Finals anthem performance
Kristin Chenoweth ended both her rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner and her night on a high note Sunday after performing at Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
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But while she was thrilled to see her beloved Oklahoma City Thunder win the NBA championship at home, many hoops fans weren't very happy with the Tony Award winner's performance of the U.S. national anthem before the game.
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The Broadway great appeared to reference the backlash she received from users on social media in a couple of posts to her Instagram Stories late Sunday night.
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Chenoweth took major heat on social media for her rendition of the U.S. national anthem ahead of the deciding game of the championship series between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Chenoweth flexed her vocal muscles while belting out The Star-Spangled Banner, which included holding an incredibly long high note at the song's crescendo.
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PERFECT WAY TO TIP OFF GAME 7 ON ABC! pic.twitter.com/BVUEcNmD8L
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025
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But while the Oklahoma native received thunderous applause from the fans in attendance, the verdict on social media was decidedly a lot more negative.
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I would have rather listened to Fergie's anthem performance than that one by Kristin Chenoweth… #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/Sk1M1hQbsY
— Billy (@BillyK253) June 23, 2025
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