Pop singer Nezza sings national anthem in Spanish despite Dodgers’ denial
LOS ANGELES (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Pop singer Nezza performed The Star-Spangled Banner in Spanish at Dodger Stadium Saturday in defiance of a request from the Los Angeles-based team.
Video posted to X by @byrdyman shows Nezza finishing her on-field performance to cheers in what was described as a "historical moment."
The 30-year-old singer shared footage of the moment she said she was advised against performing the Spanish version of the national anthem by LA Dodgers staff, along with her bold move to sing it anyway.
"I sang 'El Pendon Estrellado' the OFFICIAL Spanish star spangled banner (commissioned by President Roosevelt) at the Dodgers game after being told I couldn't. And I'm so proud that I did. Stay safe. Stay strong," she wrote on Instagram.
In a video to TikTok, Nezza said that as a child of immigrants, she was "proud" of herself for taking a stand amid the Trump administration's ongoing ICE raids and deportations.
The Spanish version of the national anthem was officially translated in 1945 following a call out from the Division of Cultural Cooperation of the Department of State, as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Good Neighbor" policy, which aimed to strengthen the United States' relations with Latin America.
According to news outlets in Los Angeles, Nezza would not be penalized for her decision and would be welcomed back to the stadium.
