You can debate all you want about the necessity of singing the national anthem before a sporting event. But after watching Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja bring down the house with her MLS Cup anthem, you can’t debate the chills.
Tjandrawidjaja, a 7-year-old, absolutely crushed it with an awesome rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. Just watch.
7-year-old Malea Emma was back to deliver another UNBELIEVABLE national anthem performance ahead of the #MLSCup! pic.twitter.com/oxKGssKQfZ
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) December 9, 2018
As Fox announcer Jon Champion said after her MLS Cup anthem, Tjandrawidjaja is the real MVP. She’s a Los Angeles native who has sung at LA Galaxy and LA Lakers games. Her dream is to sing in the Super Bowl, but in our opinion an MLS Cup final in front of 70,000-plus fans is even better.
.@MaleaEmma is going to be the real star tonight. https://t.co/2fG7Fl4g4K
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 8, 2018
The internetz (Twitter in particular) exploded over her performance.
This so pure. I'm crying.
— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) December 9, 2018
Absolutely breath-taking. One of the best renditions I have listened to in many many years. Congrats to her!
— MOLSI Productions (@molsimedia) December 9, 2018
What a national anthem #MLSCup
— Christian Ramirez (@Chris_Ramirez17) December 9, 2018
Love that kid who just slayed our national anthem. #MLSCup
— Jeremy Pond (@JeremyPond) December 9, 2018
OK that little girl now has to sing the National Anthem at every event, ever. The position has been filled. #MLSCup
— Greg Nibler (@GregNibler) December 9, 2018
OH MY GOODNESS! The little girl singing the National Anthem at the #MLSCup #ATLUTD on #FOX5ATL !!!
— ken rodriguez (@krodfox5) December 9, 2018
Even non-Americans loved it.
Watching from Australia and that even bought a tear to me eye.Incredible performance.
— Damo (@Damoadelaide) December 9, 2018
She is a great love her too much best wishes from #Egypt#Malea_Emma #MLSCup! pic.twitter.com/gdFA201GEe
— مصرحبيبتي #حق_الشهيد (@queenperfume) December 9, 2018
Forget the rest of the MLS Cup, it’s over. Everyone go home. It can’t get any better than this.
Thank you @mls for inviting me! #mlscup https://t.co/KdLPsG4qxN
— Malea Emma (@MaleaEmma) December 9, 2018