Hamilton Star Watched “Terrible” “The Star-Spangled Banner” Performances To Prepare for 2024 World Series
In an exclusive interview by Page Six, Hamilton actor Leslie Odom Jr. revealed his unorthodox preparation for singing the national anthem ahead of Monday’s 2024 World Series.
Aside from doing historical research, the American singer and songwriter said he watched several replays of “terrible” performances.
“I dug into the Francis Scott Key lyric,” he shared. “I refreshed my knowledge of the defense of Fort McHenry. And I watched and re-watched every amazing and every terrible rendition of the anthem.”
The Broadway star admitted he’s thought deeply about the qualities of a successful song performance. “I thought a lot about what makes it work when it really works,” Odom shared, adding that Marc Anthony, Whitney Houston, Chris Stapleton, and Marvin Gaye had the best versions.
Though he also spent time analyzing less awe-inspiring acts, Odom said he didn’t dwell too much on them for fear of bad luck. “[I] limited my time focusing on the less successful ones. Don’t want to draw any bad luck my way—and no one intends to do a terrible version,” the 43-year-old said cautiously.
But if his 2015 performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the Mets vs. Yankee match is any indication, Odom’s upcoming rendition is one to watch out for.
Odom has agreed to sing the US national anthem during Game 3 of this year’s World Series. Nineteen-year-old Pearle Peterson performed it at Game 2 while country singer Brad Paisley sang before Game 1.
A High-Pressure Performance
The customary performance is one of the most watched and highly scrutinized parts of the event. On Monday, Odom will perform live in front of over 46,000 people. Game 1 attracted the highest number of television viewers in five years, with over 15 million watching.
For a celebrated event like the World Series, the national anthem performance is a moment of national pride and tradition. Each singer faces immense pressure and high expectations. They must set the tone for one of the most-watched games in sports, where any misstep could become viral fodder and be scrutinized by millions. Even media outlets have been known to join in when it comes to making fun of failed performances.
Since the series drew its largest TV audience in five years, the anthem carries extra weight as it reflects the spirit and unity of fans across the country.
