Fact Check: "Dodgers staff warned Nezza to sing anthem in English before her performance."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, singer Nezza, whose real name is Vanessa Hernández, performed the U.S. national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium, despite being advised by a Dodgers employee to sing it in English. In a TikTok video shared by Nezza, an unidentified Dodgers staff member can be heard stating, “We are going to do the song in English today, so I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed” (Washington Post, HuffPost). Nezza decided to defy this instruction, stating, “I just felt like I needed to do it para mi gente [for my people]” (Sporting News). Her performance was a response to recent immigration raids in Los Angeles, which she felt compelled to address through her rendition of the anthem (NBC News).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Dodgers staff warned Nezza to sing the anthem in English is robust. Multiple sources confirm that a Dodgers employee explicitly instructed her to perform the anthem in English. The TikTok video posted by Nezza serves as direct evidence of this communication, showcasing the employee's request (Washington Post, HuffPost).
Nezza's decision to sing in Spanish, despite the warning, highlights her personal convictions and the context of her performance, which was influenced by ongoing protests against immigration policies (NBC News). The Dodgers organization has not publicly commented on the incident, which leaves some ambiguity regarding their stance on the matter (Sporting News).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the Washington Post and NBC News being well-respected news organizations. The Sporting News and HuffPost also provide reliable reporting, although they may have a more specific audience focus.
Conclusion
The claim that Dodgers staff warned Nezza to sing the anthem in English before her performance is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that a Dodgers employee explicitly instructed her to perform the anthem in English, which she chose to disregard in favor of singing in Spanish as a form of protest.
Sources
- Nezza, Dodgers anthem singer, says she sang in Spanish against team's ...
- Nezza national anthem controversy, explained: Did the Dodgers ban ...
- Singer Nezza, at Dodger Stadium sings national anthem in ...
- Latin singer Nezza defends rogue national anthem performance at Dodgers ...
- Singer Says She Was Told Not To Sing 'Star-Spangled Banner ...
