Latest news with #Chenoweth
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth slammed by NBA fans for Game 7 national anthem
NBA fans blasted Tony Award winner and Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth's national anthem performance ahead of Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. Chenoweth, 56, was center court in front of a packed house at Paycom Center Sunday night to perform her rendition of the anthem — during which she held a long high note towards the song's last verse, receiving fiery applause from those in attendance. Advertisement While the performance appeared to get fans in attendance fired up, others watching the ABC live broadcast seemed to be less than impressed by the Broadway star's vocals. Kristin Chenoweth sings the national anthem before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. AP 'The Kristen Chenoweth rendition of the National Anthem was a difficult listen,' one viewer posted on X. 'What the hell was that national anthem?' another questioned. 'This is the worst National Anthem I ever heard,' another boldly stated. 'This national anthem up there with fergie,' another wrote, referring to singer Fergie's infamous national anthem performance at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Though Chenoweth received some harsh criticism for the performance, others appeared to enjoy her rendition. Advertisement 'Damn! That was one of the stronger National Anthems I've heard in awhile!! Great job by Kristin Chenoweth!!' One Game 7 final viewer wrote. Chenoweth, 56, was center court in front of a packed house at Paycom Center Sunday night to perform her rendition of the anthem. NBAE via Getty Images 'That national anthem performance got me ready to run through a wall,' another wrote. 'Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth nailed the national anthem before Game 7,' wrote another. Born in Broken Arrow — about 115 miles northeast of the Paycom Center — Chenoweth went to Oklahoma City University before becoming an award-winning actress. However, through all her success, the 'Wicked' star has never forgotten her roots or shied away from hiding her Thunder fandom. Advertisement 'I never miss a game unless I'm on stage,' Chenoweth, donning a Thunder sweatshirt, told the Tulsa World during her soundcheck at the Paycom Center before the game. Though Chenoweth received some harsh criticism for the performance, others appeared to enjoy her rendition. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect 'I was a cheerleader in high school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and I loved football, but my favorite was basketball. I like how much of a team player you've got to be. … And this is my team.' Chenoweth said that her love for the Thunder runs so deeply that she spent three hours bedazzling a Thunder hat. She also said she named her 8-year-old pup 'Thunder' and even bought the dog his own team apparel to wear. 'Let me just say, if they had anxiety medication for Thunder fans, I'd be taking it,' Chenoweth said. Advertisement Prior to tip-off on Sunday, the 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' actress said the nerves she's feeling ahead of Game 7 are up there with some of the most significant moments of her entertainment career. The 'Wicked' star has never forgotten her roots or shied away from hiding her Thunder fandom. Getty Images 'I've had some pretty big moments in my life in the entertainment field, but this one, I don't know why, makes me nervous,' Chenoweth said. However, nerves aside, the Tony Award-winning actress said it was an honor to be chosen to perform the anthem for her hometown team. 'I just am very honored that they asked. And I'm proud of these kids. I mean, we have come so far. Of course I want us to win,' she said. Advertisement 'When the NFL has hired me for the anthem, you remain neutral. But the NBA didn't hire me for this, so I'm Thundering it up.' Kristin Chenoweth sings the national anthem before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. AP Chenoweth added that the young players on the Thunder have been an inspiration to continue her already critically acclaimed career. 'I still have the desire,' Chenoweth said. 'I think really what inspires me lately is young talent. I'm seeing and watching and learning from them. Hopefully they're learning from me. And there's nothing better than watching a budding talent whether it's basketball or a singer, an artist, it's my jam. What keeps me going right now is other people inspiring me to do what I love.' Advertisement The Thunder came out on top at the end of Game 7, earning an NBA title for the first time in the franchise's history after defeating the Pacers 103 – 91. League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Most Valuable Player of the Finals after helping his team secure Sunday night's win with 29 points.
41 minutes ago
- Entertainment
Kristin Chenoweth stuns with sky-high notes in NBA Finals national anthem
Kristin Chenoweth delivered a gravity-defying performance of the national anthem over the weekend. At Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, the Emmy and Tony Award-winning Oklahoma native hit several sky-high notes as she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." Her performance was lauded by many on social media, including Lindsay Lohan, "Cheer" star Monica Aldama and more. Chenoweth looked glam during her performance, wearing sparkling knee-high boots. She also sported an Oklahoma City Thunder shirt. Oklahoma City ultimately beat the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 to take home the championship, prompting Chenoweth to share a video from the game on her Instagram story, cheering, "We did it!" In a video shared on the NBA's official Instagram page, Chenoweth said she's an "Okie" -- the Broadway star was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma -- and that she's been "a huge basketball fan my whole life." "Eight years ago, I named my dog Thunder," she added. She also mentioned how much she loves singing the national anthem. "I do love this song," she said. "And I take it very seriously. I definitely do my own version." "Thunder up! Where's Rumble when you need him?" she added, referring to the team's mascot, Rumble the Bison. "That's gonna be the name of my next dog."
NBC News
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Kristin Chenoweth hits wicked high notes during performance at NBA Finals
Kristin Chenoweth performed a thunderous version of the national anthem at the NBA Finals. The Emmy and Tony Award winner sang 'The Star-Spangled Banner' before the Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Indiana Pacers at the Paycom Center in the decisive Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday. Chenoweth, an Oklahoma native, kept the song pretty standard for the first half of the performance before she started hitting notes that reminded everyone of what she is capable of doing. .'And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,' she belted out, as the crowd roared. Broadway's 'Wicked' star really hit her stride, though, by saving the best for last. She ended the song with the famous lines 'O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave,' hitting and holding seemingly impossible to reach high notes on 'free' for several seconds and 'brave,' while the crowd cheered her on. Fans watching the video on YouTube were blown away. 'To perform this acapella (without music) at one of the most watched events in the world is insanely brave. She nailed it!' gushed one person. 'Kristen knocked it out of the ballpark,' someone else wrote. 'Omg her range is insane,' another person raved. 'This is the national anthem performance we needed. Strong. In control. Superb musicianship. Tight performance. Fun ending. 10/10. Thank you Kristin,' commented someone else. Chenoweth, who is a Thunder fan, had promised to provide her own spin on the anthem. 'I do love this song, and I take it very seriously,' she said in an Instagram video shared by her and the NBA. 'I definitely do my own version.' While mesmerizing, Chenoweth's performance didn't totally steal the Thunder's thunder: The team knocked off the Pacers, 103-91, to win the NBA title. It marks the second time the franchise has won the championship. The team, which moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, won it in 1979 when it was the Seattle SuperSonics.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Kristin Chenoweth shares curious post about ‘being disliked' after NBA national anthem uproar
Kristin Chenoweth was proud of her rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner' Sunday night ahead of Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals — even as some fans loathed the performance. Taking to her Instagram Stories that evening, the Broadway actress, 56, promoted a message about 'being disliked' as her spin on the national anthem made waves on social media. 'The price of authenticity is being disliked,' Chenoweth, an Oklahoma native, shared with her 1.5 million Instagram followers as the Thunder topped the Pacers, 103-91. Advertisement 4 Kristin Chenoweth posted a cryptic quote to her Instagram Story after she made waves online with her performance of 'The Star Spangled Banner' before Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Pacers and the Thunder on Sunday. Instagram/Kristen Chenoweth 4 Kristin Chenoweth performs the National Anthem before Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images The Tony Award winner didn't seem fazed by critics who were not fond of her version of the song. Advertisement Prior to tipoff, Chenoweth spoke about what singing the national anthem means to her. 4 Kristin Chenoweth performs the National Anthem before Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images 'I'm an Okie, and I've been a huge basketball fan my whole life,' Chenoweth said in an Instagram video posted to the Thunder's page. 'Eight years ago, I named my dog Thunder. Advertisement 'I do love this song and I take it very seriously. I definitely do my own version.' The 'Wicked' star, who performed in a Thunder graphic tee and embellished silver boots, added a Broadway flair to the end of the song by holding an opera-style high note, which was met with applause from the Paycom Center crowd in Oklahoma City. However, some didn't appreciate her finale of the song. Advertisement Chenoweth, an Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee and Oklahoma City University alum, admitted she had butterflies before her Game 7 performance. 4 Kristin Chenoweth performs the National Anthem before Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images 'Let me just say, if they had anxiety medication for Thunder fans, I'd be taking it,' she told The Associated Press after her soundcheck. 'I never miss a game unless I'm on stage,' Chenoweth said. 'I was a cheerleader in high school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and I loved football, but my favorite was basketball. I like how much of a team player you've got to be. … And this is my team.'
Edmonton Journal
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Tony Award-winning actress leaves NBA fans divided after Game 7 anthem goes viral
Article content The reviews weren't all bad, however, with many applauding 'Not even 30 seconds in and she already made 3 people cry and 1 ref rethink his calls,' one user joked on X. 'Perfect in every way. Ranks in the top five best ever renditions of the beautiful Star Spangled Banner. Brought tears to my eyes,' another wrote. 'Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth nailed the national anthem before Game 7,' a third user posted. Chenoweth, who won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and also has starred as Glinda in Wicked on Broadway, hails from Broken Arrow, Okla., roughly 185 km northeast of Oklahoma City. Chenoweth has been a vocal supporter of the Thunder and was prepped to 'Thunder Up' with her performance, rocking a team T-shirt. GAME 7 TONIGHT. THUNDER UP!!! ⚡️🏀 SO proud of these boys. Let's go!! #ThunderUp #NBAFinals @okcthunder @NBA — Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) June 22, 2025
