Los Angeles, home to approximately 1.8 million Spanish-speaking residents, experienced a significant moment at Dodger Stadium this past Saturday night when singer Vanessa Hernández, known as Nezza, performed the national anthem in Spanish.
The event drew a crowd of 51,548 fans, all on their feet, as Nezza took the mic and sang “El Pendón Estrellado,” the Spanish-language version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
This performance seemed to contradict the wishes of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, who had reportedly instructed her to sing in English.
Wearing a shirt featuring her family’s homeland flag, Hernández delivered an emotional rendition, her voice quivering as she neared the final line, her eyes filled with tears.
She later shared on TikTok that a Dodgers staff member had told her directly, “We are going to do the song in English today.” Rather than engage in conversation, Nezza chose to express herself through her performance, stating, “I just felt like I needed to do it, para mi gente,” which translates to “for my people.”
Her motivation stemmed from personal connections: “My parents are immigrants. They’ve been citizens my whole life at this point, but I just can’t imagine them being ripped away from me. Not now. Not when I was a kid. Never.”
This resonant performance occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Los Angeles, where recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have been targeting Latino communities. These actions have led to protests and significant public outcry, especially after President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to the city.
In a notable incident, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a news conference after confronting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the raids, while Governor Gavin Newsom has urged federal forces to withdraw. Additionally, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the raids as a “humanitarian disaster.”
As Nezza transformed the national anthem into an expression of protest, audience reactions varied; some cheered, while others watched in shock. Social media buzzed with mixed feedback, with some calling her actions unacceptable.
Critics expressed harsh views, with comments like, “These people are evil,” and calls for her microphone to be cut off. Others went so far as to question her legal status, demanding that authorities take action against her.
Yet, the performance was also celebrated by many who admired Nezza’s bravery and passion. One user praised her, saying, “Her courage is palpable. So proud of her,” while another expressed their affection for her talent, stating, “I’m obsessed with her! That was beautiful.”
As Nezza made headlines, the Dodgers’ star player Shohei Ohtani added to the excitement on the field, hitting two home runs that helped lead the team to an 11-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants, taking sole possession of first place in the NL West.
Despite the controversy surrounding Nezza’s rendition, the Dodgers did not release a statement regarding her performance or the ongoing ICE raids.
While sources indicate the team has no plans to ban Nezza from the stadium, she humorously remarked on social media, “Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again.”
Nezza’s anthem performance left a lasting impression on the community and attracted responses from players as well. Kiké Hernández, a veteran utility man for the Dodgers, expressed his sorrow and anger on Instagram, stating, “I’m saddened and infuriated. Our community is being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart.”
Former Dodgers first baseman Adrián González, now a broadcaster, referred to the raids as “unconstitutional” and denounced the separation of families without cause, emphasizing that profiling individuals based on skin color is wrong and must cease.
Through her courageous act, Nezza not only brought attention to the struggles of the Latino community but also sparked a broader conversation about immigration and identity in America.
image source from：https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/singer-dodger-stadium-national-anthem-spanish-nezza-rcna213236
