MLB fans blast Patti LaBelles national anthem performance at All-Star Game in her hometown of Philadelphia: Completely disrespectful
Fans are calling out legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle for whiffing on her rendition of the national anthem to kick off the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in her hometown of Philadelphia.The 82-year-old two-time Grammy winner had the honor of singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the 96th Midsummer Classic before a packed crowd at Citizens Bank Park Tuesday evening — just five miles from Independence Hall and little more than a week after the nation’s 250th birthday.LaBelle appeared to drop a few words along the way and dragged out the anthem longer than most during the performance, but gutted her way across home plate with her singing before the first pitch of the game.Following the performance, the “Lady Marmalade” singer’s rendition was blasted online, with some branding it “disrespectful” and others criticizing the “Godmother of Soul” for putting her own twist on America’s most cherished song.“It was horrible.Completely disrespectful to our anthem,” one fired-up fan posted on X, along with a video of the performance.“Patti LaBelle is one of our greatest singers, however why people think they have to add their own twist to the National Anthem boggles my mind.
Leave it alone.It was not meant to be sung with runs or ‘making it your own,'” wrote another critic.“That was terrible, couldn’t bring back the singer from yesterday?? What an embarrassment for the troops who fight for the country,” another unimpressed fan posted.While many were upset with the Philly native — who was one of the most popular artists of the 1960s and 1970s — some fans came to LaBelle’s defense, cutting the iconic singer slack for the performance.“She’s had a pretty long career, so I’m not gonna hate on her, but this still wasn’t a great anthem,” wrote one user on X.“Patti is 82 and a legend.
How many people on this app could do what she just did and not sound like a dying whale? She did a fabulous job,” wrote another.Despite the criticism sh...