Fergie sang the U.S. national anthem at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Her performance took place before the game on February 18, 2018, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, where Team LeBron faced Team Stephen.
The singer delivered a slow, jazz-influenced interpretation of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The unusual arrangement and vocal style drew immediate attention from players, fans, and media, with several players appearing to react during the performance. Fergie later acknowledged the criticism and said she had wanted to try something artistically different.
The anthem performance is sometimes confused with other notable NBA All-Star musical moments. Chaka Khan sang the anthem at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, while Jennifer Hudson performed a tribute to Kobe Bryant at the 2020 event. Fergie, formerly a member of The Black Eyed Peas, had already established a solo career through songs including "London Bridge," "Fergalicious," and "Big Girls Don't Cry."