Alicia Keys is being praised by most for her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at this year's Super Bowl. However, there are some claiming that her performance was disrespectful due to the singer not standing while singing. Keys was sitting behind her piano, playing the music for the song live. In result, the NFL is quickly attempting to block all videos floating around the Internet of Keys' performance.
Keys' is a recording super star known for her piano playing abilities. At the time it seemed only natural that she incorporated the instrument into her performance. She played behind a large grand piano as images of soldiers appeared behind her. One morning show producer told The Huffington Post that the NFL did not do enough to fix the situation before it happened.
"It was disrespectful. They had enough time and manpower to think of this before the performance. They could have had her stand at her piano keyboard and sing. To me and a lot of my friends, she sounded great but the visual was wrong," the producer said.
Keys is not the first person to be criticized for not standing while performing the anthem live on television. In September 2012, Wolf Blitzer and Piers Morgan both remained seated during the national anthem at the Republican National Convention. CNN was then forced to release a statement saying the anchors could not stand due to their cables restricting them.
Keys had been receiving much praise immediately after her performance. She got the lyrics to the song correct and it appeared she was singing live. At the time, it was thought to be one of the best original ways to sing the song. A publicist for Keys rushed to the singer's defense, claiming Keys meant no disrespect with her performance.
"Alicia is a proud American and was honored to perform at the event. Her slow version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was her own arrangement, accompanying herself on the piano, adding 'living in the home of the brave' at the end of the song. It's silly to see how that was disrespectful."
Keys also set the record for the longest rendition of the national anthem. Her version went on for 156.4 seconds exactly. The record was previously held by Natalie Cole in 1994, clocking in at 152 seconds.
