Fact Check: "A member of the Dodgers staff warned Vanessa Hernández before her performance that she should sing the anthem in English."
What We Know
On a recent occasion at Dodger Stadium, singer Vanessa Hernández, known as Nezza, performed the national anthem in Spanish, which sparked significant controversy. Prior to her performance, a Dodgers staff member informed her that the team preferred the anthem to be sung in English. Nezza shared this interaction in a TikTok video, stating, "We are going to do the song in English today," indicating that the Dodgers had communicated their preference clearly (The Sporting News, NBC News). Despite this warning, Nezza chose to perform "El Pendón Estrellado," the Spanish version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," as a form of protest against ongoing immigration raids in Los Angeles (The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that a Dodgers staff member warned Nezza to sing the anthem in English is substantiated by her own account and corroborated by multiple news sources. The interaction was documented in a TikTok video, which adds a layer of authenticity to her statement (The Sporting News). The context of her performance—amidst protests against ICE raids—also underscores the significance of her decision to defy the team's wishes (NBC News, The Guardian).
The sources reporting this incident are credible, with established reputations in sports journalism. The Sporting News and NBC News are well-regarded for their coverage of sports events and related controversies, while The Guardian is an internationally recognized news outlet. Each of these sources provides consistent details about the event, reinforcing the reliability of the information presented.
However, it is important to note that while Nezza's performance was met with mixed reactions from the audience, the Dodgers organization has not publicly commented on the incident or indicated any punitive measures against her (The Sporting News, NBC News). This lack of response could suggest a more complex internal stance on the matter, but it does not detract from the fact that Nezza was explicitly warned about the language preference for her performance.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The evidence clearly supports the claim that a member of the Dodgers staff warned Vanessa Hernández to sing the anthem in English. This warning was documented in her own video and corroborated by multiple reputable sources. Nezza's decision to perform in Spanish, despite this warning, highlights her personal conviction and the broader social context surrounding her performance.
Sources
- Nezza national anthem controversy, explained: Did the Dodgers ban singing Spanish version?
- Singer Nezza, at Dodger Stadium sings national anthem in Spanish
- Singer performs national anthem in Spanish before Dodgers game despite officials warning her to sing in English
- Nezza sings national anthem in Spanish at Dodgers as protest against immigration raids
- Dodger Stadium singer confirms she performed national anthem in Spanish to protest ICE in defiance of team
