The national anthem is one of the most beloved songs in American history. In fact, some people take it so seriously that whenever it’s playing, their eyeballs tend to glaze over like Gollum fawning over “my precious!”
Those are exactly the sort of people who get ticked off when you’re even a smidgen off-key.
But if you’re a pint-sized cutie who manages to nail the high notes better than Christina Aguilera, you’re guaranteed fanboys for life!
Unlike some celebrities who have famously screeched their way onto the national anthem’s most-hated list, (I’m talking about you, Roseanne Barr), 7-ear-old Malea Emma’s beautiful voice did quite the opposite.
Without even trying, she mesmerized an entire crowd of soccer hooligans with a sweet elixir that sounded like smooth honey meets boom box.
The Star-Spangled Banner (a song about a battle in the War of 1812) was first played at a baseball game in 1862, right in the middle of another conflict – the Civil War.
After getting a boost during the 1918 World Series, the song became the de facto anthem of a young, growing nation.
The tradition of using sporting events as a venue to display patriotism has continued ever since.
However, not everyone deserves to actually sing it in public.
The national anthem has a magical way of making an entire stadium beam with patriotic pride…when it’s done right.
But, when done wrong, the unlucky performer better like wearing hoodies and sunglasses, because the shame of it will stain their existence for the rest of their life.
Many celebrities have been unsuccessful in their attempts to win over patriotic hearts with what can only be described as alley cats in a heated gang fight.
Comedian Roseanne Barr, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, and Olympic track star Carl Lewis are just a few of the celebrities whose cringe-worthy national anthem fails still leave a bad taste in our mouths (and ears).
Some of you may even remember that uncomfortable pause during the 2003 Red Sox vs Yankees game when crooner Michael Bolton had to stop and peek at the lyrics he scribbled on his hand.
Basically, anyone who botches the national anthem can expect to be metaphorically stoned to death with a barrage of angry boos and hisses.
Some performances are so bad they repeatedly show up on the worst of the worst lists! Thankfully, Malea Emma’s breathtaking rendition won’t ever be considered an embarrassing flub.
She absolutely crushed it during a Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy soccer match.
As adults, we tend to clap and cheer even when we think children sound awful. Because it’s just not cool to bring a kid down, you know?
But, there’s a reason why Malea Emma won the #GalaxySocial National Anthem Contest.
She truly sounds like a seasoned pro when she belts out her stirring performance of the Star-Bangled Banner!
Even Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimović is smitten with this sweet little talent.
Thanks to her rock star talent, Malea Emma has a slew of new fans.
That includes this YouTuber, who commented:
“I saw the title ‘crushes’ I thought it was going to be terrible lol but wow what a voice, especially for a 7-year-old” wrote R Baz.
Even non-Americans, who have their own patriotic national anthems, were floored:
“I’m from Finland but this gave me goosebumps. She is amazing and have a really good voice. If she is this good now I can’t even imagine how good she will be when she is older,” wrote Joosua Anttila.
Hear this tiny 7-year-old crush the national anthem with her incredible range in the video below!
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