Sep 8, 2024; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) leads the pack going into turn four at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Moments before the engines roared to life at NASCAR’s 2025 Quaker State 400, a different kind of noise stirred controversy in the stands and across social media.

Jessie Woo, a Canadian-American comedian, singer, and media personality, performed the national anthem and instantly drew backlash.

What should have been a patriotic moment to kick off one of NASCAR’s marquee summer races quickly turned sour.

As fans stood in respect for the national anthem before the race, Woo delivered a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that immediately sparked outrage online, among NASCAR insiders, and in the grandstands.

Instead of applause, Woo was met with confusion, cringes, and a wave of criticism from longtime NASCAR faithful.

Jessie Woo’s National Anthem Ahead of NASCAR’s Atlanta Race Turns Crowd Sour

Born in Montreal and raised in Miami, Woo first went viral online after posting hilarious sketches and skits.

From there, she went on to host BET’s “Dish Nation” and shows like “Wild ’N Out” and “A La Carte.”

Fans also enjoyed her performance at the 2020 NBA Playoffs, singing the anthem for the LA Clippers, where she mixed soulful vibes with an electric stage presence.

Woo’s rendition of the National Anthem was widely criticized, with many NASCAR fans calling it one of the worst performances in recent memory.

A NASCAR reporter captured the general mood with a post on X, asking, “Is it me or was that…?”

Quickly understanding the context of the reporter’s post, a NASCAR fan laughingly responded, “Don’t say it!!!”

Other fans also didn’t hold back in the replies. One responded bluntly, “One of the worst national anthems ever?… It wasn’t just you.”

Another fan quipped, “Horrible. It’s like she knew she was bad and kept adding flair to it and making it worse.

That rendition was a great time to be deaf.”

Social media also erupted with memes and reactions, especially after TV footage caught 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace appearing to chuckle during the performance.

“Bubba laughing was hilarious,” wrote one fan, echoing the sentiment of viewers who saw humor in the otherwise awkward moment.

“That was bad lmao,” added another NASCAR fan.

While Woo is known for her vibrant personality and vocal talent, many viewers felt her approach to the anthem was overly theatrical and off-key and a mismatch for the solemn tradition associated with major sporting events, especially in NASCAR.

While the sport’s sanctioning body has a way of mixing high-stakes races with show-stopping performances to get the crowd buzzing, this was unfortunately not one of those moments. Calls have now grown for NASCAR to be more mindful in its anthem selections.