Martha Reeves is being dragged online after singing an interesting version of the National Anthem at the Women’s Pro Baseball League debut game on Saturday.
The “Martha and the Vandellas” lead singer, who had hits such as “Dancing in the Street” and “Heatwave” in the 60s, gave a pitchy rendition of the National Anthem. It’s a difficult listen, and it isn’t hard to see why people are being hard on the video.
Watch:
shoutout to the WPBL anthem performance pic.twitter.com/AO2KGWF2iK
— lauren (@wrenicole) August 1, 2026
Needless to say, reviews of the performance were less-than-kind:
Martha Reeves and the backup crew just committed a hate crime against the National Anthem. What should’ve been a proud, powerful moment at a baseball game turned into a strained, off-key mess that made the flag look embarrassed. If you can’t hit the notes or carry the weight of… pic.twitter.com/WPvlDVZhGr
— Erik-Unchained (@ErikUnchained) August 2, 2026
“Martha Reeves and the backup crew just committed a hate crime against the National Anthem. What should’ve been a proud, powerful moment at a baseball game turned into a strained, off-key mess that made the flag look embarrassed. If you can’t hit the notes or carry the weight of the song, sit down. The Star-Spangled Banner isn’t a karaoke free-for-all. Respect the anthem or don’t sing it,” one X user declared.
booking her for the WPBL anthem performance felt dicey. respectfully, Martha Reeves has been struggling vocally for a little while now and it’s public knowledge.
she’s apparently still working on new music, but there’s seemingly damage to her throat/vocal cords. someone likely… https://t.co/k5ScnQiH5d
— Sassington, M.C. (@MissSassbox) August 2, 2026
“Booking her for the WPBL anthem performance felt dicey. Respectfully, Martha Reeves has been struggling vocally for a little while now and it’s public knowledge,” another explained. “She’s apparently still working on new music, but there’s seemingly damage to her throat/vocal cords. Someone likely heard her in rehearsals and still moved forward; but that’s why they provided backup singers.”
“This felt more like an attempt at going viral from the organizers but also… someone on her team needs to be transparent. It’s time,” she added.
Absolutely nothing could have prepared me for the national anthem at the first Women’s Pro Baseball League tonight pic.twitter.com/3lEYRYNQTi
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) August 2, 2026
The national anthem is sung at the first women’s professional baseball league game
This is a hate crime pic.twitter.com/SvMiFuT9D9
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 2, 2026
Keep in mind — this IS Martha Reeves from Martha and the Vandellas of “Dancin’ in the Streets,” fame. I get she’s elderly now — but, wow. Just horrible. https://t.co/2rKhqJ09Dz
— Joe Pags Pagliarulo (@JoeTalkShow) August 3, 2026
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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