Singer Nezza Faces Threats After Spanish Anthem Performance at Dodger Stadium

Nezza, a Latin pop singer, performed the U.S. national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium despite being instructed to sing it only in English, sparking widespread attention and controversy. She sang "El Pendón Estrellado," the official Spanish translation commissioned in 1945, as a protest against recent ICE raids in Los Angeles, emphasizing her pride in being an American and advocating for immigrant communities. Following her performance, Nezza received death threats and faced criticism accusing her of disrespect, which she rejected by highlighting the anthem's identical lyrics and her patriotic intent. The Dodgers organization stated there were no consequences or hard feelings and welcomed her back, though Nezza expressed uncertainty about returning. City Council members honored Nezza by inviting her to perform the anthem in Spanish at City Hall, acknowledging the significance of her act amid ongoing immigration enforcement controversies. The event ignited a broader debate about immigrant rights, community solidarity, and the role of public institutions, with some Dodgers players expressing sadness over the ICE raids while the team's official response remained cautious.