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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http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

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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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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 george usher

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WHY IS IT ALWAYS NECESSARY TO GET SOMEONE WHO BUTHCHERS THE WAY THE SONG IS SUPPOSED TO BE SUNG, GOD THAT WAS THE WORST I HAVE EVER SEEN

By Multi Tude

No , we don't remember who sang every Superbowl anthem but we will remember this one . Wild notes , rambling harmony ,Where's the audience " Hello ! " Xtina over here ! And the look on the players , fans and coaches faces . It was a steamy pile of Xtina pie only to be topped off with a fluffy dab of Brown eye Peeds . One word for the entertainment ... SPECRAPULAR !

By Rich

Most of the present day performaers are so caught up in there
"yodelling style singing" they murder the beautiful words.
I expect clear content not the singer's rendition which is so self serving it makes me want to turn them off.

By dunnrh46

in the first place,the national anthem is not a blues or rock tune.with her voice slidding and wavering all over the place she sounded like a hound dog howeling!truley disgraceful!!aguilera,stick to taking your clothes off and singing junk tunes and leave real singing to the professionals!

By Chaz Goodman

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Someone please tell me what a "True" American means? What a dope. Even though she may have screwed up the words, her voice was outstanding. She has one of the best "True" voices in the music industry right now. And besides, maybe she couldn't pull herself away from her cheeseburgers when she should have been studying the words. She has put on a few pounds.

By Mr. Leo

She was a mess yet still managed to sound better than the Black-Eyed Peas.

By Byron

Messing up the lyrics was the least of the disaster. The National Anthem is not a song that should not be "customized" by any singer. Sing it the way it is written! Enough of this improvision crap. All that does is make the singer look and sound stupid, ignorant and self centered.

By jejozi

JFC, people, she made a mistake, get over it. Not a very christian attitude by those who were "disgusted" by her performance. But then, those types have shown their hypocrisy before.

By Karen

Lily - (sigh) she is a PROFESSIONAL singer accustomed to performing in public! She of ALL people should NOT have made that treasured song about HER but rather about COUNTRY! One doesn't get to change Francis Scott Keyes to one's own musical rendition! The song is what it is!

By John

They would have been better off having that girl from "Glee" sing it! She had a great voice!

By Betty Boop

Bob...I totally agree. Whitney Houston nailed it at the Redskins/Denver Superbowl in San Diego. We had a Superbowl party. After Whitney's flawless performance, then the fly-over, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. BRAVO!!! Talk about chills. More important, with her extensive voice range, she just sang it, she never added anything...I still get chills when I think about it. Hopefully, we will get another opportunity to hear her sing the National Anthem again.

By James

i agree with you lily 110% . not the most important performance the most nerve racking, sounded good .. everyone need not make a big deal!

By gov111w

Unfortunately ...she will always be remembered for her flub before the largest worldwide audiance of her career.....

By Alonda

Thanks Lily, because you couldn't have said it any better. I mean, it's crazy...HELLO, news flash...SHE'S HUMAN. And speaking of mistakes...AHUU, who ever typed that crap on the web sure mispelled [unintelligable]...HELLO, it's un-intelligible, use the dictionary next time, and try prof reading your crap next time. So, how about DON'T TALK ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE'S MISTAKES WHEN YOUR MISTAKE IS JUST AS DUMB!!!

By APM

Doesn't say "most important", it was "This was the biggest performance of her career and she blew it."

By Bill

and I'm pretty sure she messed up the beginning too. "Jose, can you see?" what's up with that? Funny thing is, if she sung it in Spanish, nobody would have known she screwed it up.

By VICKI

LILY YOU ARE RIGHT,I COULD NEVER SING THIS SONG AND WOULDNT TRY,BUT I HAVE TO SAY,I DO KNOW ALL THE WORDS,AS MOST AMERICANS DO,

By tpinney

She sounds like harpie, no melody, no tone. So un prepared, unintelligent that she cannot even perform a simple lyric.

By C3533D

Thats ok, Christina, we all make mistakes.....you are forgiven! and you still have an Amazing Voice!!!!! 8-)

By Lori

@ rbk4 - You're a douche. She is an American born and raised, as is her mother. I believe her father was also born here. So I don't know what your point is, but just because her name is Aguillera doesn't make her less American. I have an Italian maiden name, does that mean I'm not a real American? Or does it just mean that your a jerk? I'm going with you just being a jerk.

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