Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 23, 2025 · Sports

Broadway Star's Anthem Riff: Kristin Chenoweth Speaks Out!

Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth was slammed by NBA fans for her national anthem

Kristin Chenoweth's National Anthem Performance Sparks Fury Among NBA Fans - But She Won't Let It Get Her Down!

The drama has unfolded, folks! Tony award-winning superstar Kristin Chenoweth is at the center of a national anthem controversy that has left fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team reeling. The talented actress and singer delivered a... let's say, unique rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Game 7 of the NBA playoffs, but it seems some viewers didn't quite appreciate her take on the classic tune.

As reported by thescholarlynote.com, Chenoweth, an Oklahoma native and self-proclaimed Thunder fan, belted out the national anthem with a particularly long note towards the end, which apparently didn't sit well with some of the NBA faithful. The backlash was swift and brutal, with many fans taking to social media to express their disappointment - and even disgust - at her performance.

And the Broadway icon posted a cryptic response to her Instagram story later in the night

But here's the thing: Chenoweth is not one to let criticism get her down! In a series of cryptic Instagram posts, she seemed to reference the backlash, sharing a quote that read: "The price of authenticity is being disliked." It's clear that Chenoweth is all about staying true to herself and not letting others dictate her art.

And if you thought that was it for the drama, think again! Later in the night, Chenoweth posted an excerpt from John Steinbeck's classic novel "East of Eden", which said: "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." It's clear that Chenoweth is choosing to focus on the positive and not let the haters bring her down.

But enough about the drama - let's talk about the game! The Thunder ultimately won in comfortable fashion, with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finishing with 29 points and 12 assists. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren also chipped in with 20 and 18 points apiece to get OKC to the finish line.

However, she didn't seem to affected by the backlash as she celebrated the Thunder's win

And did we mention that Chenoweth was over the moon with excitement? After the game, she posted a video of herself celebrating the Thunder's championship win, gleefully screaming "We did it!" from her seat. It's clear that this Tony award-winning star is all about supporting her team and enjoying the thrill of victory.

So what do we take away from this drama-filled episode? That Kristin Chenoweth is a true original who won't let criticism get her down, and that the Oklahoma City Thunder are champions!

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP after inspiring the Thunder to their first title

Chenoweth also posted this excerpt from John Steinbeck's book 'East of Eden'