Latin-R&B singer Nezza made a bold statement during Saturday’s Los Angeles Dodgers game by performing “The Star Spangled Banner” in Spanish, despite being cautioned against it prior to her performance. A video shared by Nezza on TikTok captures a Dodgers representative informing her that the performance was expected to be in English—immediately followed by footage of her passionately singing the anthem en español, which received an enthusiastic reception from the fans in the ballpark. This act of defiance resonated deeply with many, showcasing Nezza’s commitment to cultural representation.
Nezza’s original TikTok post highlighting her Spanish rendition garnered over 4 million views by Sunday afternoon, captioned: “Watch the Dodgers tell me I can’t sing the Spanish ‘Star Spangled Banner’ that Roosevelt officially commissioned in 1945… So I did it anyway.” Her courage to express her identity through music captivated viewers, sparking discussions about cultural heritage and the importance of representation in mainstream events like MLB games.
The video features Nezza, proudly wearing a Dominican Republic jersey, smiling until a friendly-sounding representative informs her, “We’re going to do the music in English today. I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.” Her expression shifts dramatically, reflecting her disappointment, and the video ends before she can respond verbally, leaving viewers to empathize with her situation and the broader implications of her choice.
In a heartfelt follow-up TikTok post on Saturday night, Nezza expressed, “Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again.” However, the Dodgers later reassured the Los Angeles Times that there were no hard feelings regarding her performance, stating that “there were no penalties from the club related to the performance and that Nezza would be welcome back at the stadium in the future.” This indication of support from the team reflects a nuanced approach to an incident that sparked significant attention and debate.
In her Saturday night video, Nezza—who begins the clip laughing but is visibly emotional by the end—shared her motivations. “Bear with me ’cause I’m still very shaken up and emotional,” she explained, emphasizing that her rendition is part of the government-sanctioned history of the anthem in the U.S. “You can Google it, but I’ll just read it to you really quick: ‘It was officially commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Department as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s good neighbor policy to foster a better relationship with Latin America.”
She continued, “Because of this, I didn’t think I’d be met with any sort of, like, no, especially since we’re in L.A., and with everything happening. I’ve sung the national anthem (in English) many times in my life, but… today, of all days, I couldn’t, I’m sorry.” Her words reflect the intersection of personal experience and cultural expression, highlighting the significance of such moments in shaping identity and belonging in a diverse society.
“I just couldn’t believe when she walked in and told me no. I felt like I needed to do it. For anyone who’s been following me for a while, you know everything I do is out of love,” she remarked. “And I’m proud of myself for doing that today because my parents are immigrants, and they’ve been citizens my whole life at this point. They got documented really early, but I just can’t imagine them being ripped away from me, even at this age, let alone as a little child. What are we doing?” Nezza’s words evoke a powerful narrative about the immigrant experience, resonating with many who share similar backgrounds and struggles.
“Anyhow, sorry, this is a whole different side of me that y’all never see,” Nezza said, wiping her eyes with a tissue. “But thank you for all of the sweet messages… Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again. But I love you guys so much.” Her vulnerability and openness about her emotions highlight the personal toll of public performances and the societal pressures artists face, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
Most recently, Nezza performed an English version of “The Star Spangled Banner” at an A’s game in her native Bay Area on June 3, which is also where the Dodgers discovered her remarkable ability to perform the anthem with such passion and precision.
The talented singer-songwriter and dancer is of Colombian-Dominican descent, having grown up in the Bay Area. She graduated from Santa Clara High before relocating to L.A. to pursue her musical aspirations. In October 2021, she released her debut EP, “Club Solita.” While she has recorded much of her music in English, her most popular track on Spotify, by far, is “Corazon Frio.” Currently, she is working on her debut album, which will be preceded by a new single, “Chic,” released on June 6 under the Plush label.
The Dodgers have faced criticism in some circles for their lack of a stance on the recent ICE raids. L.A. Times sports columnist Dylan Hernández ignited controversy with a column titled “Cowardly Dodgers Remain Silent as ICE Raids Terrorize Their Fans.” The columnist stated, “The Dodgers boast that more than 40% of their fan base is Latino, but they can’t even be bothered to offer the shaken community any words of comfort.” This criticism points to the responsibility of major sports teams to engage with and support their diverse communities.
Despite the intense backlash against immigrants being widespread in the L.A. area, the Dodgers organization historically opts to remain strictly apolitical. The team may have also become more cautious in light of any controversy after receiving criticism from various perspectives in 2023 regarding their handling of a satirical, religiously themed drag squad that was invited, uninvited, and then re-invited to be honored during a Pride night in 2023.
Last week, as tensions rose in the city, team manager Dave Roberts commented, “I just hope that we can be a positive distraction for what people are going through in Los Angeles right now.” Later that week, when responding to a reporter’s question, he admitted that he had not “dug deep enough and can’t speak intelligently on it,” highlighting the challenges faced by public figures in addressing complex social issues.
Nevertheless, popular team member Kike Hernandez felt inspired to post about the unrest on his Instagram page in both Spanish and English. “I may not be born & raised here, but this city has adopted me as one of their own,” he stated. “I’m saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city. Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me, and shown me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And I can’t stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused, and torn apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and human rights.” He concluded with the hashtag “#CityOfImmigrants,” emphasizing the importance of unity and respect for all individuals.
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