Yankees Opening Day is usually all about baseball hot dogs and maybe a little drama on the field. But this year a different kind of performance stole some of the spotlight and not everyone is thrilled about it. Broadway actress Betsy Wolfe was chosen to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and let's just say it got people talking.
Phone Fail or No Big Deal? Fans Notice Betsy Wolfe Reading National Anthem Lyrics From Her Phone
Betsy Wolfe a talented Broadway singer known for her roles in shows like "& Juliet" took center stage at Yankee Stadium to perform the National Anthem. Everything seemed normal until some fans watching closely noticed something: Wolfe appeared to be reading the lyrics from her phone . Yep her smartphone.
Social media blew up pretty quickly. Some fans were not happy. They took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their opinions. One fan even called on the Yankees to "do better" next time. The main issue? Using a phone for the lyrics during such a big moment was seen as a bit of a no-no by some traditionalists.
Now it wasn't all negative. Plenty of folks online were quick to praise Wolfe's actual singing voice. They thought she sounded great. But the phone thing became the main point of chatter overshadowing her vocal talent for some.
Who is Betsy Wolfe Anyway? Background on the Broadway Star at the Center of Anthem Hubbub
For those not familiar Betsy Wolfe is not just some random singer. She is a seasoned Broadway actress with a solid resume. She has starred in popular productions like "Waitress" "Falsettos" and "The Last Five Years". Most recently she was playing Anne Hathaway in the Broadway hit "& Juliet" right here in New York City. So she is definitely a pro performer. This wasn't her first time in the spotlight by any stretch. This just happened to be a very different kind of stage than she is used to.
Fan Fury or Fair Enough? Online Reactions Range From "Embarrassing" to "Get Over It"
The reaction online was definitely mixed. If you check out the comments on social media you see a real divide. Some viewers were pretty harsh. One comment on a post from the YES Network featuring Wolfe's performance said "Whoever (is) singing the anthem for the Yankees game gotta be embarrassed." Ouch.
Others were more direct about the phone issue. One person tweeted "The young lady singing the National Anthem at the #Yankees game is reading the lyrics off of her phone….YIKES #OpeningDay." Another chimed in with "I hate to be mean but if that anthem wasn’t a bad omen I don’t know what it was? #Yankees." Some even questioned the Yankees choice of performer asking if Wolfe was really the "best you could get/afford".
But it wasn't all hate. Many people focused on her singing and thought she did a fine job vocally. The phone became the central talking point though for many online critics.
National Anthem Mishaps: Betsy Wolfe Joins List of Performers Under Scrutiny (Remember Ingrid Andress?)
Betsy Wolfe is not alone in facing public criticism for a National Anthem performance. Remember Ingrid Andress? She got slammed for her rendition at the Home Run Derby not too long ago. Her performance also went viral for the wrong reasons and she even apologized later admitting she had been drinking before going on stage.
Andress faced major backlash and Wolfe is now experiencing a similar wave of online commentary. It just shows you that singing the Star-Spangled Banner in front of a huge crowd especially at a sporting event is high pressure and always under intense scrutiny. People have very strong feelings about it.
Key Takeaways From the Betsy Wolfe National Anthem Controversy:
- Broadway actress Betsy Wolfe sang the National Anthem at the New York Yankees Opening Day game.
- Fans online noticed Wolfe appeared to be reading the lyrics from her phone during the performance.
- This sparked backlash on social media with some calling the performance "embarrassing" and "the worst ever".
- Other viewers defended Wolfe praising her vocal ability despite the phone use.
- Wolfe is a seasoned Broadway performer known for roles in shows like "& Juliet" and "Waitress".
- The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and high expectations surrounding National Anthem performances at major sporting events.
- It also echoes past controversies like the Ingrid Andress Home Run Derby performance showing it's a tough gig to nail perfectly in the public eye.
Anthem Fumble or Just a Modern Moment? The Great National Anthem Debate Continues
So did Betsy Wolfe drop the ball with her phone-aided National Anthem or is this just a sign of the times? Is it really that bad to use a phone for lyrics in such a high-pressure situation? Or is it disrespectful to tradition and the song itself? Either way Wolfe's performance has definitely ignited a conversation about National Anthem etiquette and what's acceptable in the age of smartphones. The debate is sure to continue and everyone seems to have an opinion on it. What do you think? Was the phone a foul ball or no harm no foul?