When Colombian-Dominican artist Nezza took the field at Dodger Stadium and sang the U.S. national anthem in Spanish, she wasn’t just performing—she was making a statement. In a city grappling with tension over immigration and identity, her bold choice sparked a wave of reaction, placing her at the center of a larger conversation about language, culture, and patriotism in modern America.
A voice raised in two languages
Vanessa Hernández, known professionally as Nezza, has spent years building a career defined by duality—of cultures, languages, and creative forms. Born to Colombian and Dominican parents, the 30-year-old singer, songwriter, dancer, and social media personality has long embraced her multicultural roots. But on a recent evening at Dodger Stadium, she took that expression to a new level by performing the “Star-Spangled Banner” in Spanish.
The moment was powerful, emotional—and, in some corners, polarizing. For many fans at the stadium and watching online, it was a celebration of Latin heritage in a city where nearly half the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. For others, it sparked backlash over whether the national anthem should be sung in a language other than English. Nezza addressed the decision directly on her Instagram account, explaining her emotional state and the social context behind the performance. “I’ve sung the national anthem (in English) many times in my life,” she wrote. “But today out of all days I could not, I’m sorry.”
Her decision was shaped, in part, by the rising tension surrounding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, including recent protests against ICE and ongoing concerns about racial profiling. “Para mi gente, I stand with you,” she wrote. “Yesterday was easily one of the scariest days of my life. I sang ‘El Pendón Estrellado,’ the official Spanish ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ (commissioned by President Roosevelt) at the Dodgers game after being told I couldn’t. I’m so proud that I did.”
Music as resistance and reflection
Though some headlines painted Nezza’s anthem performance as controversial, her act was rooted in a long-standing tradition. The Spanish version of the national anthem she sang—El Pendón Estrellado—was officially commissioned in 1945 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his Good Neighbor policy, intended to foster better relations with Latin America during World War II. It’s not a rogue translation or modern protest anthem; it’s part of the national record.
For Nezza, singing it wasn’t just a personal stand—it was an act of cultural affirmation. Her music, much like her performance at the Dodgers game, has always lived in the space between genres, languages, and communities. Since her musical debut in 2019 with the single Strangers, she has released a string of genre-blending tracks that combine pop, R&B, and Latin rhythms, often switching effortlessly between English and Spanish. Songs like Sola, Corazón Frío, and her most recent release, Classy, reflect a musical identity that is proudly bicultural and undeniably modern. That duality also extends to her online presence. With over 300,000 followers on Instagram, Nezza’s influence reaches far beyond music. Her fashion-forward, vibrant aesthetic and outspoken personality have built her a loyal digital community—one that rallied behind her following the Dodgers performance, flooding her comment sections with messages of support and solidarity.
Culture, controversy, and courage
Unsurprisingly, the performance sparked a polarized conversation online. Some viewers criticized the decision to perform the national anthem in Spanish, citing tradition or claims of national disrespect. Others, however, viewed it as a celebration of diversity—especially in a city like Los Angeles, where more than 200 languages are spoken and multiculturalism defines daily life.
“To hear the anthem in Spanish at a Dodgers game, in a stadium full of Latino fans, was powerful,” one user commented. “This is the America I know.” Nezza’s choice resonated not just because of its timing, but because it echoed a broader dialogue in the U.S. about who gets to represent patriotism—and how. For many young Latinos, especially those straddling multiple identities, her performance felt like validation. It was a reminder that being American doesn’t have to mean erasing one’s roots.
The fact that Nezza had reportedly been told she couldn’t perform the anthem in Spanish before ultimately doing so adds another layer of defiance—and courage—to the act. “Stay safe. Stay strong. I love you,” she concluded in her Instagram message, underscoring both the personal and political stakes of the moment.
More than a moment
While the anthem performance put Nezza on a larger national stage, it’s just one part of a steadily growing career. Known for her dynamic dance background—she trained professionally before turning to music—Nezza brings an unmistakable energy to her live shows and videos. She’s collaborated with a range of artists across pop and reggaeton, and her bilingual songwriting continues to win her fans across North and South America.
Her recent single Classy, released June 6, further cements her versatility. Equal parts playful and polished, the track is emblematic of Nezza’s larger brand: confident, cross-cultural, and unapologetically authentic. In many ways, her performance at Dodger Stadium was a continuation of the artistic journey she’s been on all along—bringing her whole self, heritage included, into every stage she steps on.
A symbol of modern America
Nezza’s anthem rendition may have sparked debate, but it also captured something vital about today’s America: its complexity, its diversity, and the ongoing evolution of what it means to be patriotic. For millions of Americans, the country is spoken in more than one language—and loving it means embracing every part of your identity, not suppressing it.
In using her platform to honor both her roots and her adopted home, Nezza didn’t just perform a song. She told a story—about pride, resilience, and the courage to sing in your own voice, even when it goes against the grain. And for that, many believe, she hit exactly the right note.
