Christina Aguilera Botches National Anthem at Super Bowl, Admits Mistake

By Rob Shuter Posted Feb 6th 2011 07:04PM

Christina Aguilera Sings National Anthem at Super Bowl XLV

Christina Aguilera, always a pro singing the national anthem, couldn't make it through 'The Star-Spangled Banner' before the kickoff of Super Bowl XLV. Aguliera, who has handled the task without issue before NBA games, botched the lyrics badly halfway through the song.

Instead of "O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming" turned into "what so proudly we watched at the twilight's last [unintelligable lyric]."

Luckily, Aguilera had the quick, crowd-rousing "rocket's red glare" line to follow it up, which she nailed and got the packed Cowboys Stadium quickly on her side.

Still, our eyewitnesses in Dallas tell us that the crowd had some drastic reactions. "This was the biggest performance of her career and she blew it," a source with a VIP view tells me. "To mess up the lyrics was a disaster."

Surprised Such a Pro Got It Wrong? React on Facebook

Another source tells us the televised roars of the crowds weren't as loud in person. "A hush fell over the stadium and everyone was looking at each other."

After 'The Star-Spangled Banner' wrapped, Aguilera headed backstage where a source tells me that the singer was "devastated." She knows she messed up big time. It's an honor to be asked, and she let America and herself down. She didn't want anyone around her. Everyone was telling her she was great, but she knows the truth, says the source.

PopEater got the word on the street about Christina's Super Bowl performance -- check it out:

Update: Aguilera has addressed her performance in a statement to the Associated Press. "I got so caught up in the moment of the song that I lost my place. I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through," she said.

Cheer up, Christina. Your voice sounded as amazing as ever.

Maybe it was the pressure of the big game. After all, Aguilera got the lyrics spot on during her take on the anthem at last year's NBA Finals. Want proof? Watch below:

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Christina Aguilera Snapshots

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Singer Christina Aguilera attends the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLV Pregame Show at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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Getty Images North America

Christina Aguilera Snapshots

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Singer Christina Aguilera performs during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLV Pregame Show at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Christina Aguilera Snapshots

Christina Aguilera prepares to sing the National Anthem at the start of Super Bowl XLV where the Green Bay Packers face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, February 6, 2011. (Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

Christina Aguilera Snapshots

Tags: Christina Aguilera

Comments

(3343)

Monday 07 February

By Cat

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I agree Lily, can you imagine singing in front of all those ppl?!

By kittylilka

I can understand that we may not remember who sang the Anthem at the SuperBowl the year before, but you shouldn't have to remember who messed it up either. In my opinion, Christina did a horrible job period. It wasn't just the mistake of her forgetting the words, it just sound horrible all together. It was a fumble......

By fayeh

rbk4 -- since when is Christina Augilera NOT a "true American"? That is a dumb statement. She was born in New York. I believe that makes her an American. I'm not a fan of hers and personally would prefer to hear the West Point Choir sing the National Anthem.

By KATHYLEEN

IT WAS KATE SMITH AND HER VOICE WAS BEAUTIFUL. THE IDIOT THAT SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM SHOULD GO AND TAKE SOME SINGING LESSONS. ALL I CAN SAY IS SHE WAS JUST SCREMING THE WORDS WITH NO REAL FEELING. BRING BACK PEOPLE LIKE KATE SMITH TO SING, SHE PUT HER HEART AND SOUL INTO GOD BLESS AMERICA.

By Leslie

Whitney was awesome

Celine Dione was another person, wasn't she

By Vince

True, Lily, but most of us are not highly paid celebrities and performers, either. It shouldn't be unreasonable for us to expect them to remember the lyrics, whatever they're singing.

By meanstreek57

Didn't Like the Yodeling Ho Before Last night,was expecting a train wreck, got what i expected. How Disrespectful, Not only to not Know The Words, but to yodel Worse Than Pearl Bodine.... The Diff. Between Her and Myself, I KNOW I CAN'T SING!!!!!!

By CAROL

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Let face it. It's one of the hardest songs to sing. I think she did a great job. Even She must have been nervious. She acted very professional when she moved right along with the song.

By moudsie

First, this is something we learned as kids in school -- so why all the excuses when people screw it up -- if they'd just sing it the way it was written instead of putting more notes in that it calls for, it would sound so much better -- and secondly, she is a professional singer right, so "being nervous" is no excuse either.

By Lora

I'm not impressed with performers who cannot sign our National Anthem as it is written. It is a beautiful piece without all the improvisation. Screwing up the lyrics is a disgrace, and she should never be given that position of honor again.

By Slash

Michael Bolton flubbed it up one time. Nice to meet so many people that haven't ever made a mistake.Only on AOL baby

By Larry

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She ranks up there with Roseann Barr, thank goodness she won't be asked to sing the NATIONAL ANTHEM again. I'll bet she wouldn't mess up on the MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM.

By Thomas

Christina PERSONIFIED everything that's WRONG with, both, Hollywood AND the Music Industry: "STYLE over SUBSTANCE".

By Cutie

....the most awful rendition of the Star Spanglend Banner I have ever heard next to Roseanne Barr. If there isn't anyone in this country who can sing a decent rendition without mangling it than just let the band play the song. This woman calls herself a singer??? send her back to the bar circuit.

By Steve

You're right, Lily, most people don't remember who sang the Star Spangled Banner--UNTIL THEY BLOW IT! Remember Roseanne Barr? If these superstar singers would just focus on singing the song the way it was written instead of trying to outwarble each other maybe they could remember the lyrics. Plus, this was a game broadcast globally. How proud our fighting men and women around the world must have been to hear a multimillionaire minimally talented performer forget the words to a song which is meant to inspire a nation. And what must the viewers in other countries around the world think when somebody gets paid big bucks to sing what should be a 2 minute 12 second song and mess it up? By the way, I wonder how much Christina had wagered on how long she would hold that last note? I heard 6 seconds was the odds on favorite!

By Greg

I think her voice is horrible. All these people with sub standard singing voices trying to concela their lack of talent by attempting to sound like they "have soul"!! Please when will it stop? She looks like a total skank and she can't remember the lyrics to our national anthem? Also, I personally thout the black eyed peas were absolutly horrendous. With all of the talent in this country and they rolled this out? Who is making the creative decisions?? FIRE THEM!

By Miss Penelope

what ever, I have seen 7 year olds do a better job!!!!!
She needs to practice the words instaed of thinking she is ALL THAT!!!

By TN

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Did you forget the amazing performance by Whitney Houston?

By JOE

She is starting to look like Cindy Lauper.

By THE WIZ

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A bad copy of Whitney Houston but with EXAGGERATED and ugly OOOUUU....AAANEEE..UUUUOOOOAAA.......

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