Patti LaBelle draws criticism for national anthem performance at 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia

Fans are calling out legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle for whiffing on her rendition of the national anthem to kick off the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in her hometown of Philadelphia.

The 82-year-old two-time Grammy winner had the honor of singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the 96th Midsummer Classic before a packed crowd at Citizens Bank Park Tuesday evening — just five miles from Independence Hall and little more than a week after the nation’s 250th birthday.

LaBelle appeared to drop a few words along the way and dragged out the anthem longer than most during the performance, but gutted her way across home plate with her singing before the first pitch of the game.

Following the performance, the “Lady Marmalade” singer’s rendition was blasted online, with some branding it “disrespectful” and others criticizing the “Godmother of Soul” for putting her own twist on America’s most cherished song.

“It was horrible. Completely disrespectful to our anthem,” one fired-up fan posted on X, along with a video of the performance.

“Patti LaBelle is one of our greatest singers, however why people think they have to add their own twist to the National Anthem boggles my mind. Leave it alone. It was not meant to be sung with runs or ‘making it your own,’” wrote another critic.

“That was terrible, couldn’t bring back the singer from yesterday?? What an embarrassment for the troops who fight for the country,” another unimpressed fan posted.

While many were upset with the Philly native — who was one of the most popular artists of the 1960s and 1970s — some fans came to LaBelle’s defense, cutting the iconic singer slack for the performance.

Legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle faced backlash online for her rendition of the national anthem to kick off the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. STEVEN M FALK/EPA/Shutterstock

Singer Patti LaBelle performs the national anthem ahead of the MLB baseball All-Star Game between the American League and National League, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

“She’s had a pretty long career, so I’m not gonna hate on her, but this still wasn’t a great anthem,” wrote one user on X.

“Patti is 82 and a legend. How many people on this app could do what she just did and not sound like a dying whale? She did a fabulous job,” wrote another.

Despite the criticism she faced online, red and white fireworks exploded up into the sky around the ballpark at the end of the anthem, with thousands of fans erupting in applause as the display was closed out with a military flyover.

Some branded the performance as “disrespectful,” while others criticized the “Godmother of Soul” for putting her own twist on America’s most cherished song. Getty Images

Labelle performing at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, Illinois, on Sept. 28, 1978. Getty Images

The Philly native was one of the most popular artists of the 1960s and 1970s. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

While LaBelle’s performance fell short with fans, Jennifer Hudson — who sang “God Bless America” just before the anthem — appeared to knock it out of the park, with Americans flooding social media to admire the EGOT-winning singer’s rendition of one of the country’s most cherished patriotic songs.

“Jennifer’s voice hits like a national power surge,” one user posted on X.

“Jennifer Hudson never misses with a live performance. You can always count on her to make a big moment feel even bigger,” another wrote.

Jennifer Hudson performs “America the Beautiful” ahead of the MLB baseball All-Star Game between the American League and National League, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The anthem controversy aside, patriotism was in no short supply throughout the rest of the night.

The league paid homage to the iconic Fourth of July fireworks scene from the classic 1993 film “The Sandlot” during a pause in the fifth inning.

Ray Charles’ iconic “America the Beautiful” echoed through the ballpark as children in Phillies jerseys peeked through a gate along the right-field foul line, swung it open and signaled other kids riding bikes to join them.

There was only one night game a year, the whole sky would brighten up with fireworks, giving us just enough light for a game

We played our best then because, I guess, we all felt like the big leaguers under the lights of some great stadium ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vlrgHEyDyE

— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

Old Glory blazed across every screen in the stadium as the kids marched proudly to the center of the infield and dropped their bikes.

Players from both teams lined their dugouts with what appeared to be sparklers, while select players — including Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh — took to the field alongside fans.

Some kids swapped baseball cards with players, while Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman played catch with a young fan.

Following the homage to one of America’s favorite baseball movies, the game resumed, and the American League ultimately won 4-0.