Natalie Grant Responds to Indy 500 National Anthem Backlash

Natalie Grant, a nine-time Grammy-nominated gospel singer, landed right in the middle of a social media storm after singing the National Anthem at the sold-out Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Her performance—full of custom tones, extended vocal runs, and those long, drawn-out notes—got people talking.

The race itself brought its own chaos, with crashes and a scary fire keeping everyone on edge. Still, Grant’s rendition seemed to steal the spotlight.

Controversial Performance at the Indy 500

The Indy 500 is a massive event in motorsport, and singing the National Anthem there is a big deal. For Grant, it was a dream come true, and she made sure to share her gratitude on Instagram:

What an honor and a dream to sing the national anthem for the Indy 500. An experience of a lifetime! Thank you for having me, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Forever grateful to the men and women who gave their lives so I can be free. #MemorialDay God bless America!

But not everyone was thrilled. Social media blew up with reactions—some folks loved it, others… not so much.

Mixed Reactions from Fans

Fans hit social media to share their thoughts. A lot of people felt her delivery was just too stylized, more about her vocal skills than the moment itself.

One user wrote, *Yet another entitled singer making the National Anthem about them instead of the country. Ugh and cringe-worthy.* Someone else chimed in, *Just sing it like it’s supposed to be sung.*

Still, plenty of people found her version stunning and heartfelt. One Instagram user said, *I can’t believe anyone would have a problem with the way you sang this, Natalie. This is stunning! I still get goosebumps when I hear it.*

Another person added, *This is seriously the most beautiful rendition ever. As a person who’s lost their ability to sing due to a vocal injury in 2017, your voice carries healing.*

Natalie Grant Responds to Critics

Grant didn’t shy away from the criticism. She jumped into her Instagram comments and addressed it head-on.

She talked about how music is subjective, and how everyone’s free to have their own take. Grant wrote, Listen, I have been doing this long enough to know there are a few out there that hate when anyone sings this song with any freedom of expression. Music is subjective. And you are free to have your opinion. That is the beautiful reality of our country. We are free. And I am also free to sing this song with the passion I feel and the expression I want. I love this country, and my passion comes out in my arrangement.

The Context of Memorial Day

The performance happened during a Memorial Day event, which made everything feel a bit heavier. Memorial Day is about honoring and remembering those who gave their lives for the country.

With that in mind, some people felt the Anthem should stick to tradition, especially on such a solemn day.

The Drama of the Indy 500

The race was wild, too. Kyle Larson tried to pull off ‘The Double’ but crashed out.

Another driver didn’t even make it to the start before crashing, and Alexander Rossi was furious after a scary fire in his car. All in all, it was a memorable Indy 500—on and off the track.

Looking Ahead: Grant’s Upcoming Tour

Even with all the recent controversy, Natalie Grant’s keeping her eyes on her music. She’ll hit the road with MercyMe and special guest Sam Wesley starting October 17 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This 12-city tour winds down on November 8 in Topeka, Kansas. If you’re a fan, get ready for her powerful voice and those passionate live performances—there’s really nothing quite like it.

Want more details about Natalie Grant’s performance and all the reactions? Check out the full article on The Mirror.