Nezza, a Latin pop singer of Colombian-Dominican origin who grew up within the Bay Space of California, was invited to carry out the U.S. nationwide anthem at this weekend’s Dodgers vs. Giants sport at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. As an alternative of singing in English, as she was apparently instructed to do, Nezza carried out a Spanish-language rendition of the nationwide anthem — “para mi gente [for my people],” she stated on Sunday (June 15).
The vocalist, dancer and content material creator, whose full identify is Vanessa Hernández, posted a video on social media, exhibiting her perspective of what occurred on the L.A. occasion.
“We’re gonna do the track in English at present. I’m undecided if that wasn’t relayed,” an off-camera voice could be heard telling Nezza, whose crestfallen expression and physique language present the singer’s dismay. The clip goes on to point out footage of Nezza on the baseball area, overcome with emotion as she belts the final line of “The Star-Spangled Banner” — “El Pendón Estrellado” — en español.
“Para mi gente,” Nezza wrote within the caption, “I stand with you. Yesterday was simply one of many scariest days of my life. I sang ‘El Pendon Estrellado’ the OFFICIAL Spanish star spangled banner (commissioned by President Roosevelt) on the Dodgers sport after being advised I couldn’t. And I’m so proud that I did.”
“Keep secure. Keep robust. I like you,” stated Nezza, who is anticipated to launch her debut full-length album this yr.
In a follow-up video uploaded to TikTok, she spoke to the digicam and mirrored on the expertise, her teary eyes nonetheless pink: “Bear with me, ’trigger I’m nonetheless very shooken up and emotional.” Of the Spanish translation of the nationwide anthem, “El Pendón Estrellado,” she defined, “It was formally commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Division as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s good neighbor coverage to foster a greater relationship with Latin America.”
“I didn’t suppose I’d be met with any kind of ‘no,’ particularly as a result of we’re in L.A., and with all the pieces occurring … I simply couldn’t imagine when she walked in and advised me ‘no.’ I simply felt like I wanted to do it,” Nezza stated.
She went on to name out the broadly protested raids by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) which were occurring within the U.S. beneath the Trump administration, stating, “Every thing I do is out of affection, good power. I’m happy with myself for doing that at present as a result of my dad and mom are immigrants. They’ve been residents like my entire life, at this level. They bought documented actually early.”
“I simply can’t think about them being ripped away from me. Even at this age, not to mention like a bit child. What are they doing?” Nezza stated.