SINGER Rachel Platten has spoken out after drawing criticism for her performances before the the Los Angeles Rams playoff matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Rams romped to a 27-9 victory in the NFL Wild Card Round clash.
Rachel Platten sang the national anthem at the Vikings-Rams NFL clash[/caption]
But ahead of the game, the franchise paid tribute to the victims of the devastating fires that have sweeped across the state.
Platten was one of the parties asked to perform as part of the tribute, performing the 2015 hit ‘Fight Song,’ before the clash.
She later struggled to keep her tears at bay when she later performed a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
However, many fans accused the 43-year-old of faking it.
Platten responded to the accusations by insisting the entire night was emotional.
She told Billboard: “It was such an emotional night. It was so much bigger than me and the song…
“I feel really incredibly grateful for the whole night. We can do so many things with tragedy.
“We can mourn together, and we can cry together — but then there are also times to be strong together.
“What I felt on stage was, ‘May this song touch people like medicine, may this song be healing.’
“I did feel feel a reverberation and an echo in the stadium of that hunger for hope in the midst of darkness. Sometimes music can do what words can’t.”
The song of choice did some raise some eyebrows given that it was featured on her second album titled, “Wildfire”.
Platten changed one lyric in the first verse from the original song.
She changed: “I might only have one match/ But I can make an explosion,” to a more fitting, “We might have been knocked down/ But I know we’ll keep going”.
Despite the accusations of crocodile tears, the Rams players were clearly moved by the performance.
The ESPN broadcast showed an emotional Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford on the sideline, while head coach Sean McVay appeared glassy eyed.
The Rams themselves also wore t-shirts saying “LAFD” on them in honour of the brave firefighters who continue to battle the blazes.
NFL division round schedule
Sat 18 Jan, 4.30 pm ET (ESPN/ABC) – Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Sat 18 Jan, 8 pm ET (Fox) – Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
Sun 19 Jan, 3 pm ET (NBC) – Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Sun 19 Jan, 6.30 pm ET (CBS) – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
