At Dodgers Game: Nezza Sings National Anthem in Spanish After Being Told It ‘Needs to Be in English’
Singer Nezza Defies Request, Performs Spanish National Anthem at Dodgers Game in Powerful Statement
Singer and content creator Nezza made waves on June 14 when she delivered a powerful rendition of El Pendón Estrellado—the Spanish version of the U.S. National Anthem—at the Los Angeles Dodgers game, despite being told to sing it in English.
The 32-year-old singer, whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, took the field before the Dodgers faced off against the San Francisco Giants. Her decision to sing the anthem in Spanish came amid ongoing protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles.
Told to Stick to English—She Sang in Spanish Anyway
In a TikTok video shared shortly after the game, Nezza revealed that event staff had asked her to perform the anthem in English. A voice in the video can be heard saying, “We are going to do the song in English today,” followed by a comment suggesting the language request may not have been communicated earlier.
Instead of backing down, Nezza chose to move forward with the Spanish version. Wearing a T-shirt honoring the Dominican Republic, she proudly sang the anthem in Spanish on the field, writing over the clip, “So I did it anyway.”
The History Behind the Anthem
Nezza later shared a follow-up video to explain her decision. Visibly emotional, she explained that El Pendón Estrellado was not just a translation—it’s the official Spanish version of the Star-Spangled Banner, commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Department under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy. The initiative aimed to strengthen ties with Latin American countries.
“Because of this,” Nezza said, “I didn’t think I would be met with any sort of resistance—especially in a city like LA, and with everything happening right now.”
A Statement for Her Community
Nezza admitted she was shocked and shaken after being told not to sing in Spanish, but she felt it was important to follow through: “There was today out of all days—I could not [sing it in English]. I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente.”
She described her performance as an act of love and solidarity: “I’m proud of myself for doing that today because my parents are immigrants… I can’t imagine them being ripped away from me, even at this age, let alone as a little kid.”
Fallout and Response
While Nezza joked that she might be banned from Dodger Stadium, a team official later hinted that the situation may not be as serious as it seemed, suggesting the organization didn’t entirely disapprove of her bold move.
Her performance—and the story behind it—has since sparked widespread conversation and praise online, with many applauding her for standing her ground and honoring her heritage in such a visible and meaningful way.
