Alesha Dixon has been accused of “butchering” the national anthem at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone yesterday but why are people so quick to criticise?
Twitter users watching the television coverage of the Grand Prix wasted no time accusing the Britain’s Got Talent judge of putting on an American accent for the performance and pointing out that she got the words wrong.
Or, rather one word. Instead of singing the line “God Save The Queen,” Alesha chose the less traditional “God Save Our Queen”.
Cue an onslaught of disgruntled tweets and the predictable memes:
#BritishGP#BBCF1 Wisely using the instrumental of the National Anthem for the winners' podium. No Alesha Dixon. pic.twitter.com/tBDYFaCvS2
— Ken Barlow (@I_am_KenBarlow) July 5, 2015
Alesha Dixon pays tribute to Independence Day by singing the national anthem in an American accent. #BritishGP
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 5, 2015
Defending herself on the social media site Alesha insisted that her lyric choice was deliberate and that her American accent was simply “soul.”
There's a difference between getting the words wrong and choosing 2 sing a particular version! Boring story, very sad! #don'tpissonmyparade
— Alesha Dixon (@AleshaOfficial) July 5, 2015
More:Damon Albarn gets dragged off stage at Danish music festival
Alesha’s excitement couldn’t be dampened for long as she later tweeted that she had “an incredible day” and was “truly honoured” to be part of it, adding “God save our Queen!” as a defiant virtual two fingers to her critics.
One Twitter user pointed out that Alesha is the first person of colour to sing the British national anthem at a major sporting event. Which is perhaps what we should be talking about instead of analysing every word of her performance to find a flaw.
Gwarn Alesha Dixon on that national anthem! First time I've seen a person of colour sing it at a national event #BritishGP#AleshaDixon
— Duke of Peckham (@dukeofpeckham) July 5, 2015
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