Ingrid Andress is turning one of the most difficult moments of her career into a powerful story of redemption. After facing intense backlash for her off-key National Anthem performance at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby, the singer took responsibility for her actions, admitted to struggling with alcohol abuse, and checked herself into rehab. Now, she’s opening up about how that experience changed her life for the better.
The Anthem Performance That Sparked Controversy
On July 2024, Ingrid Andress took the field at the MLB Home Run Derby to sing The Star-Spangled Banner. But instead of delivering a flawless performance, her pitchy and shaky rendition quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the event.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Andress revealed that she had been intoxicated during the performance. She admitted that by then, she had grown accustomed to drinking before performing, as it helped her feel numb.
“I just remember being like, ‘I don’t care,'” she recalled. “I felt so much like an object that it just didn’t matter. I had completely missed the plot.”
While her team initially shielded her from the online backlash, it didn’t take long for her to realize how badly received her performance was. When she returned to Nashville, hungover and disoriented, her team suggested she address the situation.
Taking Accountability and Seeking Help
Rather than hiding behind excuses, Andress took full responsibility for what happened. In a raw and unfiltered social media post, she admitted:
“I’m not gonna bulls–t y’all, I was drunk last night.”
She also announced that she was checking into rehab to work on her unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
“I didn’t run that statement by anybody,” she now says. “I needed to let people know it’s not just this one incident that I messed up. I need to get better.“
The response to her honesty was mixed—some fans supported her, while others continued to criticize. Andress even joked that, in the wake of a stressful political news cycle, her performance became an unexpected moment of unity for Americans.
“I felt like America’s punching bag,” she said. “It was like, ‘At least we can all agree that this girl botched the anthem.’ I’ll be the punching bag for sure, but I didn’t commit a crime. It felt very extreme for what the situation was.”
Rehab, Reflection, and Personal Growth
Andress flew to a treatment facility immediately after making her statement. She recalls how even a flight attendant recognized her from the viral performance.
Reading the online criticism was heartbreaking, but her time in rehab helped her gain clarity. She realized that her relentless pursuit of success had negatively impacted her mental health.
During this period, she also worked through other personal struggles, including a difficult breakup and parting ways with her longtime manager.
Ultimately, the experience made her stronger.
“Fear of failure? I’ve already been there,” she said.
A Powerful Comeback: Redemption on Stage
Fast forward to February 28, 2025—Ingrid Andress returned to the stage to sing the National Anthem once again, this time at a Colorado Avalanche hockey game.
This time, she was confident, composed, and fully present. The crowd cheered her on, showing their support as she hit every note with precision.
The performance marked a turning point in her journey, proving that she had overcome her struggles and was ready to take back her career.
New Music and Tour Plans
As part of her fresh start, Andress has announced a new single titled “Footprints” and is preparing for her first shows in nearly a year. She chose a meaningful location for her return—Colorado, where she grew up.
She shared her excitement on social media, announcing two concert dates in Aspen and Denver for April 2025.
“Haven’t played a show in a minute but what better way to kick everything off than the Colorado way,” she wrote.