Kristin Chenoweth performed the national anthem at Game 7 of the NBA Finals (congratulations, Oklahoma City Thunder!), and despite having a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, she’s being met with mixed reviews. Keep reading for more information.
Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth slammed by NBA fans for Game 7 national anthem https://t.co/kclmvVL5Ne pic.twitter.com/vWEMaXsjvm
— New York Post (@nypost) June 23, 2025
Kristin Chenoweth’s Controversial National Anthem Performance
The Oklahoma native flew in to Oklahoma City specifically for the game, donned in head-to-toe Thunder gear (including sparkly bedazzled cowboy boots). She addressed the crowd ahead of performance, telling them, “I do love this song, and I take it very seriously. I definitely do my own version.”
And do her own version she did. Holding out the final word “free” for a full eight seconds, the Wicked actress certainly earned her standing ovation, but she also earned herself some criticism online. While some of her long-time fans praised her performance, others called it “horrible,” “excessive,” and “awful.”
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Fans Defend The 'Wicked' Star
Luckily, the 56-year-old has a loyal fanbase, and came out of the woodwork to defend their girl: "Kristin Chenoweth is a classically trained with a masters in opera performance,' one fan wrote on TikTok. "She's not a pop star so she's not going to sound like one."
"Everyone making fun of her but I don't see any of you on Broadway!" another posted.
"Don't play with Kristin!" one fan said. "She IS Broadway!"
"Those basketball fans don't understand the honor they just witnessed let me tell you!" added a fourth.
"This Kristin Chenoweth hate in the comment section is CRAZY!" said a final fan. "I don't think y'all know who she is."
