Fergie apologises for NBA national anthem performance

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FergieImage source, Allsport/Getty
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Fergie gives it her all at the Staples Center

It's fair to say Fergie's jazzy, slowed-down version of the Star-Spangled Banner at Sunday's NBA All-Star game wasn't a hit with everyone.

And now the US singer has apologised for her performance.

The singer told TMZ, external: "I've always been honoured and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA.

"I'm a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn't strike the intended tone."

She added: "I love this country and honestly tried my best."

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Star-mangled banner?

Social media went into meltdown as people reacted to the former Black-Eyed Peas singer's unusual version.

ESPN journalist Jemele Hill tweeted a clip from TNT's coverage of the event in Los Angeles, pointing out even NBA player Draymond Green could not keep a straight face.

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Memes were soon circulating, comparisons to previous singers were abound and #Fergie was trending on Twitter.

Some thought she was copying the breathy style used by Marilyn Monroe when she famously sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy.

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Another joked it would take some time to recover.

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It's not the first time Fergie has sung the US national anthem in public.

She performed the Star-Spangled Banner in front of the Obamas in 2009, external at the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll.

Suffice to say, it was a much more traditional rendition and attracted far less attention.

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