Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth took middle courtroom on Sunday, June 22, for Sport 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and the Indiana Pacers.

Earlier than the sport, the “Depraved” singer gave the gang and viewers worldwide a robust rendition of the Nationwide Anthem, showcasing her spectacular vocal means and vary.

Nonetheless, the actress’ signature Broadway-style efficiency sparked combined reactions on-line, although in a brand new interview, she did not appear fazed by the noise.

Talking with The Oklahoman, Chenoweth mentioned that whereas she’s usually requested to sing the Nationwide Anthem by totally different sports activities leagues, this invitation got here personally from the Thunder group.

“I took it very critically,” she mentioned concerning the efficiency. “And I all the time take singing that track very critically, due to the gorgeous phrases, the lyrics of the track. So, I simply wished to make Oklahoma proud.”

Chenoweth’s model of the track featured her belting her signature excessive notes, which some weren’t keen on. In response to the Oklahoma native, nonetheless, her stylistic decisions had been intentional.

“I assume I did need to set the tone (and) simply get all people prepared to essentially cheer their brains out to, hopefully, win,” she mentioned.

Another excuse this second was particular to Chenoweth is that she did not consider she’d even have an opportunity to sing the track, contemplating she believed OKC would win the collection in Sport 6.

“That is the one sport I might do, and really, due to my schedule, I did not assume I’d be doing it,” the powerhouse singer mentioned. “I assumed we’d win earlier than (Sport 7). However you understand what? It simply made it all of the extra thrilling, and so I discovered myself reserving my flight, going, ‘All proper, Thunder, I am coming.'”

Chenoweth defined that planning the looks for Sport 7 was a bit chaotic, as she’s at the moment splitting her time between New York and Nashville to organize for her new Broadway present, “Queen of Versailles.”

“I did not even get to see my household,” Chenoweth added. “I simply got here in, sang, and I am headed out.”

“I am all the time gonna attempt to be right here in the event that they ask me, as a result of it is my crew,” she famous. “I bleed blue, yellow, and orange; what can I let you know?”

As soon as the NBA shared the video of Chenoweth’s efficiency on-line, customers chimed in to share their daring ideas about her twist on the track.

“Effectively, it wasn’t superb, however not less than it is in English,” a person wrote on X, previously Twitter.

“The best rendition of all time was accomplished by Whitney Houston and it definitely wasn’t ‘conventional,'” one other shared.

A 3rd person acknowledged plainly, “That sh-t was horrible.”

“Soo bored with these ‘icons, stars’ making up new renditions of the Nationwide Anthem!” one other person posted. “Sing it as written and meant to be sung.”

Different customers, in the meantime, had been fast to defend the “Defying Gravity” singer, with one writing, “Should you’re dragging [Chenoweth’s] rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, you are simply saying to the world that you’ve got by no means set foot in a theater.”

“D-amn!” another person shared. “That was one of many stronger Nationwide Anthems I’ve heard shortly!!”

“Nice job by Kristin Chenoweth,” they added.

Another person mentioned, “Kristin Chenoweth sang the Nationwide Anthem and let me let you know it was excellent.”