Singer Laurin Talese<\/strong> responded after her rendition of \u201cLift Every Voice and Sing\u201d ruffled some feathers to kick off the 2025 NFL season.<\/span><\/p>\n Talese, 43, performed the song, often referred to as the Black National Anthem, before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia\u2019s Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, September 4.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some football fans criticized the performance on social media, calling it \u201ccontroversial\u201d and \u201ca disgrace.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The reactions were so overwhelming that the Daily Mail <\/i><\/a>published a story on Thursday, labeling Talese\u2019s performance as \u201cdivisive\u201d and compiling some of the most inflammatory responses in one place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Spitgate 2.0: Cowboys\u2019 Dak Prescott Denies Spitting on Eagles\u2019 Jalen Carter First<\/a><\/p>\n Talese, however, wasn\u2019t about to let the critics mess with her big moment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The singer shared a screengrab of the Daily Mail<\/i> article via her Instagram Story<\/a> with the caption: \u201cMomma I made it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Moments after her performance, Talese posted a video<\/a> via her Story detailing the euphoric aftermath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat was exhilarating,\u201d she said. \u201cThat was absolutely thrilling. I am just really, really, really grateful. Thank you Philadelphia Eagles for having me. It was otherworldly. It was amazing to feel the energy of the crowd. Everybody was so hype and excited.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Well, maybe not everybody.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The performance was also plagued with sound issues, which led to the rowdy fans inside the stadium overpowering some of her vocals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Courtesy of Laurin Talese\/Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n Talese acknowledged the tech snafus and the unruly Philly fans, reposting a message to her Instagram Story<\/a> reading, \u201cDisgusted in the disrespect from the crowd. Loud, talking, hats on, no care in the world. But again\u2026America.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n There were plenty of positive reactions to Talese\u2019s performance, which she also shared via her Story.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat better way to kick off football season,\u201d one viewer wrote. \u201c@laurintalese you were amazing! \u2764\ufe0f\ud83e\udd79\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jason Kelce Has Risque Reaction to NFL\u2019s Jalen Carter Getting Ejected for Spitting on a Rival Player<\/a><\/p>\n Another comment read, \u201cMy girl killed it! \u2764\ufe0f You sounded phenomenal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The game, which also featured a performance of \u201cThe Star-Spangled Banner\u201d by Boyz II Men<\/strong>, was won by the Eagles, 24-20.<\/span><\/p>\n Prior to the festivities, Talese expressed her excitement for the performance and revealed that, despite spending the last two-and-a-half decades as a Philadelphia resident, it would be her first time attending an Eagles game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m feeling so excited and honored,” Talese told PhiladelphiaEagles.com<\/a>. “I’m really excited to see what it’s going to feel like. … I love feeling the pulse of the city, but I’ve never been to a game. So, this is my entrance. This is my foray into real-life Eagles fandom, and being able to really be a part of it, like, what better way? It’s kind of crazy, actually.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n