Singer defies Dodgers by performing national anthem in Spanish amidst protests

In the United States, singer Vanessa Hernandez, known as Nezza, performed a Spanish version of the national anthem at Dodger Stadium on a recent Saturday night, showing support for ongoing protests against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The performance took place before a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, coinciding with widespread demonstrations against the Trump administration's immigration policies. Nezza, a child of immigrants, felt a deep personal connection to the current immigration issues affecting families like hers. In her TikTok posts, she shared the emotional weight that led her to sing in Spanish, defying the team's guidelines. The Dodgers had informed Nezza that the anthem should be sung in English, as they aimed to avoid political controversy amid the unrest surrounding ICE presence and deportation efforts in Los Angeles. However, Nezza made the decision to perform in Spanish anyway, stating it was important for her to represent her community. This act of defiance was met with mixed reactions; while she faced backlash and claims of harassment online, she also expressed gratitude for the support she received from fellow advocates. Despite her decision going against the Dodgers' request, the team has reportedly taken no action against Nezza and indicated they would welcome her back for future performances. The incident underlined the complexities of balancing sports, politics, and cultural identity, especially in a city like Los Angeles that is home to a significant number of immigrants. Nezza's actions sparked discussions about the role of public figures in political discourse and the importance of representation in artistic expressions.