Controversy and Apology: Singer’s National Anthem Rendition Before Italy Clash
‘I’m furious!’ – Singer accused of ‘BUTCHERING’ England’s God Save the King national anthem before the Italy match is in tears and apologizes before blaming her performance on her earpiece
Ellynora, the singer accused of “butchering” the English national anthem ahead of a match against Italy in Naples, has apologized.
An error-riddled rendition of ‘God Save the King’ left fans and players perplexed before the Three Lions kicked off their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against the reigning European champions. Ellynora appeared uneasy from the start, missing the opening note and fiddling with her earpiece, with the Italian-American songstress breaking down in tears after it became clear that she had blown her chance in the spotlight.
After being mocked on social media, Ellynora told the Daily Mail, “I’m just so angry with what happened because I wanted it to be perfect, but what happened wasn’t my fault.” I’d like to apologize to all of the England fans who were present at the stadium or watching on TV; I’m mortified by what happened and want people to know that I wasn’t disrespectful. It was an honor to be asked to sing the national anthem, and I was overjoyed. That’s something I’ve never done before.
“I’m more of a pop artist but at the ground there was a sound issue. I had rehearsed the anthem twice the day before the match and then on the night three times but when it came to the actual performance, I had a problem with my earpiece. I had the music in my ear and then it stopped and started again, and I was hearing it twice, so it meant I was out of synch, and it was hard for me to catch up. I really tried my best to solve the problem but there was nothing I could do and I’m so angry about it. I was trying to adjust my singing to catch up with the anthem in the stadium, but it was too late.”
England players, including Jude Bellingham and Kyle Walker, were seen looking slightly perplexed as they were asked to join in with an anthem that clearly was not going as planned – but Gareth Southgate’s side proved no distraction as they ran out 2-1 winners on the night.
England won thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Harry Kane, the latter converting from the penalty spot to record his 54th appearance for the Three Lions and surpass Wayne Rooney as his country’s all-time leading scorer.
