Ingrid Andress Opens Up About Rehab Stint Following Controversial National Anthem Performance
Country music singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress has broken her silence, nearly a year after a tumultuous period that saw her admit herself into rehab. The decision followed her public acknowledgment that she was intoxicated during her performance of the national anthem at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby.
In a candid appearance on "The Viall Files" podcast this week, Andress, 33, delved into the events leading up to and following her performance at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, last July. She described the day as seemingly normal initially, but confessed that she was already grappling with a growing reliance on alcohol.
"That day started as a very – what seemed like a normal day," Andress recounted. "At that point, like that day, I knew that I was drinking, but I was really loving the numbing feeling that I was having, and so I just didn’t stop."
The four-time Grammy nominee explained that a combination of factors, including the recent split with her first manager and a personal breakup, had contributed to her increased alcohol consumption in the months prior to the performance. In her intoxicated state, Andress admitted that she was largely unaware of the crowd’s reaction and the response from viewers at home. She even believed, at the time, that she had delivered a successful rendition of the anthem.
The reality of the situation began to sink in the following day. "It wasn’t until I woke up the next day where I was like ‘OK, this is so unlike me. This is not OK. I need help,’" Andress said. "I didn’t realize how much the video was going viral, because I had never experienced anything like that."
The fallout was immediate and intense. Andress subsequently released a statement on social media, admitting that she had been drunk while singing the national anthem. She revealed on the podcast that she issued the statement while on a plane en route to rehab.
"Im not gonna bulls— yall, I was drunk last night," her statement read. "Im checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition. Ill let yall know how rehab is, I hear its super fun."
Andress described the period following the performance as overwhelming, as she faced a barrage of criticism and felt like "America’s punching bag." However, she also found a sliver of solace in the idea that her performance, however flawed, had managed to unite people, even if it was in their shared disapproval.
"I will say, at the time, politics was really bubbling, and I just feel like there was a lot of angst in general during that time. So, if anything, I feel like – I’m fine with being America’s punching bag, because for one moment, everybody was united in the fact that that was awful. So I feel like I united America in a way."
The incident served as a major turning point for Andress, prompting her to seek professional help and confront her struggles with alcohol. Her decision to enter rehab marked the beginning of a journey toward recovery and self-discovery.
Following her stint in rehab, Andress focused on healing and reconnecting with her family in Colorado. She emphasized the importance of spending quality time with loved ones as she worked to regain her footing.
Last month, Andress was given an opportunity to redeem herself when she performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at an NHL game in Colorado. The performance was well-received and marked a significant step in her return to the public eye.
In addition to her NHL performance, Andress also released a new single earlier this week, signaling her readiness to resume her music career. She explained that after her time in rehab and with her family, she felt prepared to re-emerge and share her music with the world once again.
"I spent a lot of time with family, and then I was like, ‘I think it’s time to re-emerge.’"
Andress’s willingness to speak openly about her struggles with alcohol and her decision to seek help is a testament to her courage and her commitment to recovery. Her story serves as a reminder that even those in the public eye are not immune to personal challenges and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
By sharing her experiences, Andress hopes to inspire others who may be struggling with similar issues to seek help and begin their own journeys toward recovery. Her story is one of resilience, redemption, and the power of self-awareness. It underscores the importance of addressing mental health and substance abuse issues openly and honestly, both in the public sphere and in our personal lives.
Ingrid Andress’s return to the spotlight is not just a comeback story, but a story of personal growth and transformation. Her willingness to confront her demons and share her journey with the world is a powerful example of how vulnerability can lead to healing and a renewed sense of purpose. As she continues to move forward, both in her personal life and in her career, Andress is poised to inspire and uplift others with her music and her story of resilience.
