The legendary Patti LaBelle divided social media with her performance of the national anthem at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
LaBelle, 82, took to the field at Citizens Bank Field in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 14, for a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that ruffled some feathers with those watching at home.
“I like Patti LaBelle a lot, always have,” one viewer wrote. “This rendition of Our National Anthem was terrible. @MsPattiPatti, if you just would have sung the National Anthem the way it’s meant to be sung, you would have been amazing. Your twist on our song did not pan out that nicely at all.”
Another wrote, “I have NOTHING against Patti Labelle cuz she can SANGGG however I apologize if it offends but idk if it was just me but the National Anthem was too low to actually hear and the arrangement was SO off. Plus it went too damn fast. Her vocals were lost in the surrounding sounds.”
“I’m sorry but the decision to have Patti LaBelle sing the National Anthem to open tonight’s MLB All Star Game was embarrassing and insulting,” one fan argued. “Her rendition was terrible!”
Despite some criticism, LaBelle, a Philadelphia native, received plenty of support for her take on the song.
“She’s 82 years old. I had absolutely ZERO issues with her singing of our National Anthem,” a viewer said. “Every genre has their touch to it. Whitney Houston, Chris Stapleton. Patti LaBelle at her age did a wonderful job.”
Another fan wrote, “Ain’t nothing like Patti LaBelle singing the National Anthem in her hometown and also still hitting those high notes as 82 years old, the Philly Queen never disappoints.”
LaBelle gushed about the experience on social media, sharing a clip of her performance via Instagram and writing, “@MLB thank you for having me! ❤️⚾️.”
The All-Star Game festivities also featured Jennifer Hudson singing “America the Beautiful,” Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan singing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch and Boyz II Men performing a cover of The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” during a special Stand Up to Cancer tribute.
Philadelphia legends in their own right, Boyz II Men also did not avoid some scathing reactions on social media.
“Boyz II Men just sounded like some cats being tortured at the All Star game,” one person wrote.
Another All-Star Game viewer said, “Maybe we should have left Boyz II Men in 1995.”
