NEED TO KNOW
Kristin Chenoweth is speaking out after singing the National Anthem during the NBA Finals.
The Broadway star performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Sunday, June 22, before Game 7 in the NBA finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center.
Her appearance stirred mixed reactions online, but the Tony Award Winner and Oklahoma native was focused on making her home state proud.
“I always take singing that song very seriously, because of the beautiful words, the lyrics of the song. So, I just wanted to make Oklahoma proud,” Chenoweth, 56, told The Oklahoman in an interview published on Monday, June 23.
“And, yeah, I guess I did want to set the tone (and) just get everybody ready to really cheer their brains out to, hopefully, win.”
The Thunder ultimately defeated the Pacers 103-91. The Broadway star also wanted to perform her best possible version of the National Anthem for her favorite team. “I went up to the High C. It’s the night to do it, you know?” she said of the key in which she sang.
“I’m an Okie. The Thunder is my favorite team. It’s the very final game; we’re at home; we want this championship. We’ve never been there. It’s our turn. All of those things are going through my mind. So, that’s the time to really sing it.”
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty
The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more!
Chenoweth mentioned that she didn’t think she would be singing the National Anthon at the game due to her schedule. “I thought we would win before [Game 7]. But you know what? It just made it all the more exciting, and so I found myself booking my flight, going, ‘All right, Thunder, I’m coming.’ ”
The Oklahoma native flew in for the performance and then flew back to Nashville. “I’m always gonna try to be here if they ask me, because it’s my team. I bleed blue, yellow and orange; what can I tell you?” she said.
Chenoweth’s high-energy rendition of the National Anthem divided fans online. One person said it was “horrible.” “Completely ruined the anthem with whatever that high note was at the end,” another wrote.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
“Yes, she has an amazing range and can hit those high notes — but doing so on this just ruins the narrative of the story you tell when you sing the anthem,” a third person posted. “Sorry. Not impressed with this.”
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
However, others defended Chenoweth’s take on “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Probably my fav National Anthem ever! Girlfriend’s got game! Love her Oklahoma pride!” one fan said.
“No surprise that @KChenoweth did an excellent job on the National Anthem! 😍😍,” another wrote. “Okie Legend nailed it!” a third chimed in.
