Hettie Adams blew everyone away with her beautiful rendition of “God Defend New Zealand.” She performed the New Zealand national anthem just prior to the much-awaited Collingwood-Essendon gantry match-up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). So on this electric Friday night, Adams stepped on stage and completely entranced the crowd with her powerful singing abilities. By that time, fans and commentators were already slackjawed at her performance.
Adams’ game seemed to defy belief and Adams was, as Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes put it, unbelievable. Witnessing her live for the first time, Cornes remarked, “That was pure magic. It’s just a sensational national anthem. Private Hettie Adams, hats off to you because that was unbelievable.” Her performance brought the house down. Her performance featured the first verse sung in Māori and then eventually in gorgeous English fashion.
And the response from those fans encapsulated what Cornes was talking about. One fan tweeted, “Hettie Adams BOG once again,” another said her performance was “10/10. No notes.” Those kinds of reactions are a testament to the effect Adams has had on the audience, cementing her status as a true must-see performer.
Kane Cornes emphasized the challenge her performance posed to other anthems, stating, “We’ve got to play ours first because we just can’t match it.” David King, another commentator, added to the excitement, declaring, “We witnessed the biggest smashing of all-time last night in the pre-game, the New Zealand national anthem versus the Australian national anthem. We got destroyed.”
Adams is no stranger to high-profile performances. She has previously sung at both the Anzac Day Eve and Anzac Day blockbusters, demonstrating her ability to command the stage.
Following her captivating performance, one attendee expressed their thoughts, saying, “She has the pipes of an angel. It’s the best rendition of a national anthem I’ve ever heard.” The near-hysteria of accolades showered on her talent cement Adams’ place as a national treasure and sporting favorite.
