Ingrid Andress has faced significant backlash following a widely criticized rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby on July 15. Despite the negative attention, there is a silver lining for the country singer: her streaming numbers have soared.
Andress’ performance, described by some as the “worst National Anthem performance of all time,” quickly went viral, leading to widespread ridicule. However, the attention drove a dramatic increase in her streaming figures. According to Billboard, Andress’ catalog amassed 1.2 million U.S. streams on July 15 and 16, a 229 percent spike from the 370,000 streams recorded on July 13-14. Notably, 941,000 of these streams occurred on July 16, marking her highest single-day streaming total since November 2022.
Following the performance, Andress took to social media to address the situation, revealing that she was intoxicated during the event and acknowledging her struggles with alcohol. She announced her decision to seek treatment, stating, “I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much.”
Andress had been largely absent from the public eye prior to this incident, after experiencing a promising start to her career with hits like “More Hearts Than Mine” and “Wishful Drinking.” She had not released new music since 2023 and had been dealing with personal and professional challenges.
Currently, Andress has canceled all upcoming performances as she focuses on her treatment. She is still scheduled to release a new single, “Colorado 9,” on July 24, though it remains uncertain if her treatment will affect this release date.
