The Oklahoma native and passionate Thunder fan is known for her powerhouse vocals and operatic range, a signature style she brought to the anthem.
Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth faced sharp criticism from NBA fans after her rendition of The National Anthem before Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, on Sunday, June 22.
Chenoweth took center stage live on ABC just before tip-off at the first Game 7 of the NBA Finals in nearly a decade. Dressed in sparkling knee-high boots, a Thunder shirt, and blue jeans, the Oklahoma native brought glamor and hometown pride to the court.
But it was her vocals that truly stole the spotlight. The Emmy Award-winning performer delivered a dramatic rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” hitting several sky-high notes — including one particularly long high note at the end.
While some viewers applauded the Broadway flair, others felt the performance missed the mark. Reactions online were anything but unanimous.
One viewer didn’t hold back, declaring, “She ruined the National Anthem completely!” Another person echoed the disappointment, “It was terrible, the end was painful. Why can’t they sing it how it’s supposed to be and leave it at that. Stop trying to be Whitney!!!”
Someone else pointed out, “Was fantastic until until the screeching ‘freeeeee’ why can’t people just sing it the way it was written [sic].” Criticism of the operatic flair came through in one comment, “Just because it’s an operatic A DOESN’T make it sound any better! I thought it was more of a OPERATIC SCREECH!”
But not everyone agreed with the backlash. One fan rose to her defense, writing, “I think it’s stunning, sublime, I have no idea why some people hated it. They must be uncultured or deaf.”
Another fan celebrated her signature style, “The high note is her signature.” A supporter gushed, “She’s Broadway’s IT GIRL….I would expect no less…she’s amazing.” And one person summed up their appreciation with pride, “When you choose an iconic broadway star you get a broadway rendition! She crushed it! [sic].”
At just 4-foot-11, Chenoweth, who once dreamed of playing basketball, was thrilled to make it to the NBA in any form, even as a singer. Despite having performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, singing the anthem at a Thunder game still gave her butterflies.
After finishing her soundcheck at the arena on Sunday, she admitted, “Let me just say, if they had anxiety medication for Thunder fans, I’d be taking it.”
The 56-year-old has performed The National Anthem at several Thunder games over the years, sometimes solo, and at least once alongside young performers from her Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp. The camp is part of her foundation, which focuses on nurturing artistic talent by supporting children through education and creative experiences.
Though she’s no stranger to high-profile performances, singing before her home team tends to stir up extra nerves. The anthem, with its challenging vocal range and emotional weight, remains a song she approaches with deep respect.
For Kristin Chenoweth, delivering the lyrics written by Francis Scott Key isn’t just about hitting notes, it’s about honoring the history behind them. And when it comes to her beloved Thunder, she brings her full voice and heart to the court.
“Actually thinking about what he saw, it’s really important for me to remember the words and talk about what they meant then and what they mean to us now,” she shared.
Chenoweth’s Thunder fandom has been well-known since the team’s early days, though she’s also expressed admiration for the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks. Still, the Thunder remain closest to her heart — so much so that she once told the Tulsa World she spent three hours bedazzling a Thunder hat.
