Christina Aguilera knows a thing or two about messing up the National Anthem.

As you may recall she flubbed the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Super Bowl XLV in 2011 singing “What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last reaming” instead of the proper line, which is “O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming.” Aguilera later issued an apology for the error, but not before receiving her fair share of criticism.

Now Xtina is helping out a young singer who is receiving flack over her own rendition of the song. Eleven year-old Harper Gruzins sang what some have called the “worst rendition” of the song at an L.A. Galaxy vs. FC Dallas Major League Soccer game a few weeks ago at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, a suburb outside of Dallas.

The video of the performance went viral and the comments started pouring in with varying opinions on how this young girl sang the song. Most of the comments weren’t encouraging. Some even threatened the North Texas Girls’ health and life.

Harper came on 103.7 Lite FM/Dallas Thursday morning to tell listeners about all the criticism she’s been receiving and how she forgives those with the negative reactions.  And thanks to the show’s host, she also received encouraging words from Aguilera herself.
 
While the singer wasn’t able to call in to talk directly to Harper (she is currently busy taping The Voice) Aguilera did send along a message for Gene & Julie to read to the young singer.

“Harper, you had the courage to sing in front of thousands of people and I applaud you,” Aguilera said in a statement to Harper. “Keep your head up high and keep trying. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

While in studio, Harper also took to the mic for the first time since she sang the National Anthem.

Take a listen to her story plus hear the young singer belt out Adele’s “Someone Like You.” And, yes, that’s her playing the keyboard as well. 

- Garret Heinrich, 103.7 Lite FM/Dallas