Topline:
Back in June, singer Nezza staged a one-woman protest at Dodger Stadium in response to the federal immigration crackdown in Los Angeles. Now, she’s getting ready to perform a benefit concert Aug. 29 at the historic Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood to raise money for immigration defense nonprofits.
What happened: She sang “El Pendón Estrellado,” the official Spanish-language version of the "Star-Spangled Banner" — even after a member of the Dodgers organization explicitly told her to sing the national anthem in English.
Details on the benefit show: All proceeds will be donated to immigration defense nonprofits. Tickets are available here.
Listen: Hear the full conversation with Nezza and "All Things Considered" host Nereida Moreno about what this moment means for the artist.
How singer Nezza is honoring LA’s immigrant community after Dodgers Stadium controversy
Read on … for why Nezza is using her platform to give back.
Back in June, singer Vanessa Hernandez, known professionally as Nezza, staged a one-woman protest at Dodger Stadium in response to the federal immigration crackdown in Los Angeles.
She sang “El Pendón Estrellado,” the official Spanish-language version of the "Star-Spangled Banner" — even after a member of the Dodgers organization explicitly told her to sing the national anthem in English.
“It was scary,” she said. "I still don't know how I got myself to do it, but I just keep saying that I feel like God was just with me in that moment and just gave me a little push forward.”
How singer Nezza is honoring LA’s immigrant community after Dodgers Stadium controversy
Nezza said she wanted to honor L.A.’s immigrant community, as well as Peruvian-American composer Clotilde Arias, who wrote a translation in 1945. It was commissioned by President Franklin Roosevelt as part of an effort to strengthen relationships with Latin American countries during World War II.
“It just felt like I had this responsibility for her, for mi gente Latina to shine a light on it,” she said.
A Dodgers spokesperson has said there are no hard feelings and that Nezza is welcome back at the stadium any time.
In the months following the controversy, Nezza partnered with the South Central-based nonprofit A Place Called Home to release the first studio version of “El Pendón Estrellado,” along with a music video that features a backing band of local kids and teens.
The Colombian-Dominican singer also debuted her latest single, “Classy,” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with guest host Diego Luna and became a member of Shakira’s “loba pack” on the second night of her tour at SoFi Stadium. Nezza said she feels “extremely extra proud” of being a Latina after seeing the community come together and that she wants to use her platform to give back.
“There's just no way that I could move on with the attention that I have right now and not use it for something, especially towards everything that's happening right now.”
Originally from the Bay Area, Nezza said she moved to L.A. as a teen to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Now, she’s getting ready to perform a benefit concert Aug. 29 at the historic Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood to raise money for immigration defense nonprofits. The show will be “quite the little Latin party,” featuring special guests like Dominican singer PAMÉ and actor-musician Michael Cimino.
In the meantime, Nezza said she’s focused on the upcoming release of her debut full-length album — with lyrics in both English and Spanish — as well as a potential tour this fall.
“ I'm just so hungry to be on a stage again, I've been craving it, and I have the best fandom in the world,” she said. “So I’m excited.”
This story was produced with help from Gillian Morán Pérez.
