Singer and social media personality Nezza, who sang the Spanish-language version of the national anthem at the Los Angeles Dodgers game yesterday, shared a tear-filled video explaining her decision to do so against the team’s wishes.
In a TikTok posted after the performance, Nezza (née Vanessa Hernández) said she was still “shooken [sic] up and emotional” after the fact, expressing surprise and dismay that she was dissuaded from doing her rendition by an official employee.
Commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Department as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy in order to foster a better relationship with Latin America, Nezza said, “because of this, I didn’t think I would be met with any sort of, like, ‘No.’ Especially ’cause we’re in L.A. and with everything happening,” referencing president Donald Trump’s sending of National Guard troops and Marines to quell largely peaceful protests taking place in the City of Angels over a harsh escalation in ICE raids.
Earlier on Saturday, Nezza had shared another TikTok in which an employee can be heard saying, “We are going to do the song in English today, so I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.” The video then transitions to Nezza, clad in a red-blue tee with the lettering “Rep. Dominicana,” singing the Spanish rendition to audience cheers.
“But I just felt like I needed to do it, para mi gente,” she explained amid tears. “For anyone who’s been following me for a while, you know everything I do is out of love and good energy, and I’m proud of myself for doing that today. Because my parents are immigrants … I just can’t imagine them being ripped away from me, even at this age, let alone a little kid. What are we doing?”
She concluded, chuckling slightly, “Thank you for all the sweet messages. I love you guys so much. Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again?”
Per the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers, who defeated the San Francisco Giants last night, have not issued a public comment on the matter, but a spokesperson said Nezza would be welcome back at the venue at any time.
Despite having a strong Latino fanbase and hosting events like Mexican and Salvadoran heritage nights, the group has remained largely mum on the escalation of ICE sweeps, with executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen announcing the team will not release a statement about the situation. Manager Dave Roberts has mostly sidestepped the question, saying last week: “I just hope that we can be a positive distraction for what people are going through in Los Angeles right now.” On Friday, he added little further comment: “I know that when you’re having to bring people in and deport people, all the unrest, it’s certainly unsettling for everyone. But I haven’t dug enough and can’t speak intelligently on it.”
However, Kike Hernández, a utility player for the team who is Puerto Rican, shared a personal statement to his social media yesterday, writing in part, “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.”
The post Singer Nezza On Singing Spanish Version Of National Anthem Against Dodgers’ Wishes: “I Needed To Do It, Para Mi Gente” appeared first on Deadline.
