In a tumultuous weekend for Los Angeles, a Spanish version of the national anthem stirred both emotion and controversy at Dodger Stadium.
Singer Vanessa Hernández, known as Nezza, boldly performed ‘El Pendón Estrellado’—the official Spanish rendition of the U.S. national anthem—despite prior instructions from the Los Angeles Dodgers to sing in English.
In a TikTok video, Nezza shared that an unidentified Dodgers employee informed her, “We are going to do the song in English today. I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.”
Determined to express solidarity with her community during ongoing protests against an ICE crackdown in Los Angeles, Nezza chose to sing the anthem in Spanish anyway.
She wore a shirt representing the Dominican Republic, emphasizing her connection to her heritage and the significance of her choice, particularly in light of the protests related to immigration policies.
“I didn’t think I’d be met with any sort of no,” she later reflected in her video. “Especially because we’re in L.A., and with everything happening. I’ve sung the national anthem many times in my life, but today, out of all days, I could not. I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente.”
Nezza’s courageous performance occurred in the backdrop of national protests, including the “No Kings” campaign aimed at opposing a military parade coinciding with President Donald Trump’s birthday and celebrations for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
During his 2016 campaign, President Trump had vowed to execute the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history, a promise that has manifested into heightened tensions across the nation.
Despite her decision to defy the Dodgers’ request, Nezza was not punished or removed from the ballpark, and there is no indication that she will face restrictions concerning future performances at Dodger Stadium.
When The Athletic reached out for a comment on the matter, the Dodgers declined to respond.
As the protests unfolded over the past week, the Dodgers organization has remained notably silent, contrasting sharply with other Los Angeles teams like Angel City F.C., which showed support by distributing T-shirts that read “Immigrant City Football Club.”
Players from Angel City F.C. also wore these shirts, highlighting the unity expressed towards the ongoing movement.
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts addressed the protests during a press conference, remarking, “Honestly, I don’t know enough, to be quite honest with you. I know that when you’re having to bring people in and deport people, all the unrest is certainly unsettling for everyone. But I haven’t dug enough and can’t speak intelligently on it.”
Only one player, utility man Kiké Hernández, has publicly expressed his thoughts about the situation. He took to Instagram on Saturday night, just before Nezza’s rendition, stating:
“I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own. I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city. Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights. #CityOfImmigrants.”
Nezza’s anthem performance at Dodger Stadium has sparked conversations about cultural identity, social responsibility, and the role of sports organizations in addressing significant social issues.
image source from：https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6427526/2025/06/15/nezza-dodgers-national-anthem-spanish/
