Indie singer Loomis encountered significant backlash on social media following her troubled performance of the national anthem at the Free & Equal Presidential Debate held on October 23, 2024.
The debate took place in vibrant Los Angeles and featured notable third-party candidates such as Chase Oliver representing the Libertarian Party, Dr. Jill Stein from the Green Party, and Randall Terry of the Constitution Party. This live event was broadcast across multiple platforms, including C-SPAN, radio, and various online channels. Loomis, whose Spotify streaming numbers linger below 3,000, experienced a challenging moment during her acapella rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” visibly faltering during the line “and the rocket’s red glare.” In a moment of distress, Loomis audibly exclaimed, “I fucked it up, can I go back please?” completely unaware that her mishap was being broadcast live to viewers around the nation.
The Free and Equal Elections Foundation, the organization behind the debate, received an apology from Loomis following the incident. She later took to Instagram to express her regret, stating, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to mess up the national anthem.” Loomis elaborated on her experience of intense nerves, admitting, “I got too nervous,” and conveyed her long-standing apprehension about performing the anthem, which she regards as particularly daunting due to the gravity and stillness expected from the audience. Furthermore, a conversation with TMZ revealed that Loomis had been pressed for time, with only one day to prepare due to a last-minute scheduling change, which understandably heightened her anxiety.
Within moments, social media users began to draw humorous parallels between Loomis’ unexpected blunder and previous notorious renditions of the national anthem. Notably, Fergie’s infamous performance at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game was referenced, with viewers recalling Fergie’s attempt to “try something special” but ultimately realizing it “didn’t strike the intended tone.” One user quipped, “Fergie has officially earned her retirement.” Another pointed comparison emerged in relation to country singer Ingrid Andress, who candidly admitted to being intoxicated during her performance of the national anthem at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby. In response to her recent performance, Loomis is reportedly pursuing an opportunity for redemption with a future appearance on “Good Morning America.”
**Short Interview: Indie Singer Loomis Reflects on National Anthem Performance**
*Interviewer:* Welcome, Loomis! Thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right into it. You recently made headlines for your performance of the national anthem at the Free & Equal Presidential Debate. Can you share what that experience was like for you?
*Loomis:* Thank you for having me! Performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at such an important event was exhilarating, but also nerve-wracking. I was excited to be a part of the debate, especially with so many influential candidates on stage. However, when I fluffed a high note, it caught me completely off guard. I wasn’t prepared for it to spiral into the backlash I faced afterwards.
*Interviewer:* That must have been tough. Social media can be brutal, especially in moments like this. How did you handle the reaction online?
*Loomis:* Honestly, it was overwhelming. I read comments that ranged from supportive to downright mean. I’ve been in the music industry long enough to know that not everyone’s going to be kind, but to have that level of scrutiny on a live performance was new to me. I took some time to process it and leaned on my friends and family for support—they reminded me why I love singing in the first place.
*Interviewer:* After your performance, you asked to redo the anthem. What made you decide to do that?
*Loomis:* I really felt I could do better, and I wanted to give the audience and myself a more accurate representation of what I can offer as an artist. It’s such a powerful song, and I felt like I owed it to the moment, to the candidates, and to myself to give it another shot.
*Interviewer:* That shows a lot of resilience! Moving forward, how do you plan to use this experience in your music and performances?
*Loomis:* This experience taught me to embrace vulnerability. I want to write more about personal struggles and resilience in my music. It also reminded me that everyone has off days, but what matters is how we rise from them. I hope to bring this perspective into my future performances—flaws and all.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Loomis, for sharing your thoughts with us. We wish you the best in your future endeavors!
*Loomis:* Thank you so much! I appreciate the support and the opportunity to share my side of the story!
*Loomis:* It really can be. Immediately after the event, I saw a flood of comments—some were funny, but others were quite harsh. I understand that live performances come with a lot of pressure, and I didn’t handle it as gracefully as I hoped. It was overwhelming to see people compare my flub to past performances, like Fergie’s, especially since she’s such a talented artist.
*Interviewer:* You mentioned feeling nervous during your performance. Can you elaborate on that feeling?
*Loomis:* Absolutely. The stakes felt incredibly high because it was the national anthem, and I’ve always found it somewhat intimidating to sing. Plus, I had only a day to prep due to some last-minute changes in scheduling, which heightened my anxiety. In that moment, the nerves took over, and I lost my place. It was an honest mistake, but I really regret how it unfolded.
*Interviewer:* After the performance, you shared an apology on Instagram. What was the response like?
*Loomis:* The response was mixed. I wanted to reach out and express my sincere regret for messing up such an important song, representing my country. Some people appreciated my acknowledgment and honesty, while others continued to poke fun. I guess it’s just part of the territory—people will have their opinions no matter what.
*Interviewer:* Looking forward, what’s next for you? Any plans for a “redemption” performance?
*Loomis:* Yes! I’m hoping for a chance to appear on “Good Morning America.” I see it as an opportunity to redeem myself and show that I can deliver a solid performance. Singing the anthem means a lot to me, and I’d love to share a better version of it with everyone.
*Interviewer:* That’s great to hear! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Loomis. We wish you the best of luck moving forward!
*Loomis:* Thank you so much for having me! I really appreciate it.