In a powerful moment of cultural resistance, Latin pop and R&B singer Nezza challenged stadium norms by performing the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium, igniting a conversation about immigrant support and representation.

Despite initial discouragement from team representatives, Nezza made a split-second decision to sing “El Pendón Estrellado” - the official Spanish translation of the national anthem - after seeing the stands filled with Latino families. Her 90-second performance quickly went viral, becoming a flashpoint for Dodgers fans frustrated by the team’s silence around ongoing immigration enforcement raids.

The incident highlights the complex relationship between the Dodgers and Los Angeles’ immigrant communities. While the team has historically celebrated diversity through heritage nights and Spanish-language broadcasts, tensions remain from past displacements like the controversial Chavez Ravine evictions in the 1950s.

Celebrities like Becky G and Kehlani publicly supported Nezza, with Becky G directly challenging the Dodgers: “Don’t you dare turn your backs on us now. We, as a city, have embraced you and need your support more than ever”.

The Dodgers’ response has been tepid. Manager Dave Roberts claimed insufficient knowledge about the issue, while player Kiké Hernández more directly spoke out, stating, “I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart”.

Fans are now considering boycotts, with some viewing the team’s selective political stances as hypocritical. Emeli Avalos, a longtime fan, pointed out the team’s willingness to make statements about international conflicts while remaining silent on local immigration issues.

Nezza sees her performance as more than just a musical moment. “It’s just shown me how much power there is in the Latin community,” she said. “We gotta be the voice right now”.