Sheryl Lee Ralph OJ, an American actress and singer, sang the ‘Black National Anthem,’ also known as Lift Every Voice and Sing, during a Sunday night football game. The song, which was composed more than a century ago, became a rallying cry for the civil rights movement, according to the NAACP.
Following the ‘Black Lives Matter protests that took place in the summer of 2020, the NFL started playing the song during its games, but the decision allegedly has drawn criticism from some conservatives. Shocked fans reportedly took to social media to criticize the NFL after it was revealed that Ralph would be performing Lift Every Voice and Sing before the start of Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday night.
Additionally, Colorado Republican representative, Lauren Boebert reportedly used her Twitter handle on Sunday afternoon to express her displeasure with the Black National Anthem’s performance by the Emmy-winning actress-singer at the Super Bowl.
What did Sheryl Lee Ralph say about her allegations of lip-syncing?
The Christmas in My Heart actress addressed her accusation after her performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing at Super Bowl 2023 while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday.
This is for those who were curious about Sheryl Lee Ralph’s lip-syncing during her Super Bowl performance. She had, in fact, not responded. Following her performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing at the State Farm Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, In the Evening singer made the remarks to The Hollywood Reporter. She said,
“Does it matter? Does it matter? No. Thank you. It’s just so amazing that they chose me. And then the Eagles are in the Super Bowl. I mean, come on. She added, “You know God must be a woman because all of this is just too perfect.”
After the performance, the Dreamgirls hitmaker claimed to be experiencing a positive high despite those accusations against her.
NFL fans got divided as the ‘Black National Anthem’ was sung at Super Bowl
The ‘Black National Anthem’ was played three times consecutively before the Super Bowl, which sparked outrage on social media. The song was unofficially dubbed the ‘Black National Anthem’ after receiving the NAACP’s endorsement in 1917.
It was first recited in 1900, which is exactly 123 years ago. Performances have reportedly drawn mixed responses on social media. Some argue that it has divided the country rather than uniting it. While others are happy that singing the national anthem is a constructive action that recognizes the hardships faced by black Americans and moves the nation’s racial divisions toward reconciliation.
Before the Super Bowls in 2021 and 2022, Alicia Keys and Mary Mary reportedly performed the song in their respective years. Sheryl Lee Ralph, however, was the first one to perform it on the actual field. The previous two performances were both pre-recorded clips that were aired.
For unheard, as per reports, the former originally wrote the poem that now has become the song. The lyrics of the song detail the plight and goals of black Americans at the turn of the 20th century.
Source- Twitter
