A Bold Act of Expression on a Tense Night in Los Angeles
Singer and social media influencer Nezza made headlines Saturday night when she performed the U.S. national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium, defying the organization’s request to sing it in English.
Nezza, whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, shared a TikTok video of her experience. In the clip, a Dodgers staff member is heard telling her before the performance, “We are going to do the song in English today, so I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.” The video then cuts to Nezza confidently performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Spanish on the field. She wore a Dominican Republic jersey while singing.
The video caption read:
“So I did it anyway.” 
Nezza’s Reason: A Message for Her Community
In a follow-up video, Nezza, 30, explained that the Spanish version she sang was commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Department under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She said she chose this moment to sing it in light of recent ICE raids and protests in Los Angeles.
“I didn’t think I would be met with any sort of no,” Nezza said. “But today out of all days, I just could not believe when she [the Dodgers employee] told me no. I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente.”
Nezza’s decision was a powerful gesture meant to connect with the Spanish-speaking community in a city undergoing distress due to immigration enforcement activities.
No Backlash from the Dodgers Organization
While the Dodgers did not release an official statement, a team representative confirmed that there would be no consequences for Nezza’s performance and that she would be welcome to perform again in the future.
Over the past week, the team has remained largely silent about the ICE raids and resulting protests in Los Angeles. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the unrest in two separate interviews, saying on Monday:
“I just hope that we can be a positive distraction for what people are going through in Los Angeles right now.”
On Friday, Roberts commented further:
“When you’re having to bring people in and deport people, all the unrest, it’s certainly unsettling for everyone.”
Players Voice Support for the Community
Veteran player Kiké Hernández spoke out more directly on Instagram:
“I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and human rights.”
Despite these individual responses, the Dodgers organization has not issued a collective statement on the issue. According to reporting by Dylan Hernández of the Los Angeles Times, a club executive stated there are no current plans for an official comment.
A Moment That Sparked a Conversation
Nezza’s performance is more than just a personal act of courage—it highlights ongoing tensions in Los Angeles and challenges teams like the Dodgers to reflect on their role in amplifying diverse voices.
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