Chantal Kreviazuk, the Canadian singer known for her rendition of the national anthem, made headlines recently when she subtly threw a jab at former President Donald Trump during her performance of O Canada.
This came after Trump’s comments about potentially annexing Canada as the 51st state, which understandably upset many Canadians.
A Change in the Lyrics
Before taking the stage at the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final in Boston, Kreviazuk made her feelings known.
She performed a slightly altered version of the anthem, singing “that only us command” instead of the usual “in all of us command”.
This lyric tweak was a clear message to Trump, signaling that Canadians are perfectly capable of managing their own affairs without interference from the U.S.
Social Media Sneak Peek
Ahead of her performance, Kreviazuk shared a photo of the revised lyrics scrawled on her hand, posted on her Instagram story.
In addition, she posted a selfie video, showing herself in good spirits before singing the anthem, and described it as an “honor” to perform O Canada.
A representative later confirmed to CBC that the change was a deliberate response to Trump’s recent comments and actions.
Trump’s Actions Spark Tensions
Kreviazuk’s lyrical tweak wasn’t the only recent tension between Canada and the U.S. Trump’s actions have raised eyebrows, especially his suggestion that Canada could be annexed, and the looming tariffs on Canadian goods.
In fact, Trump has even referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor,” which did not sit well with many Canadians.
His administration also imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, set to go into effect in early March, further fueling the discord.
These issues contributed to the growing tension during the hockey tournament, with the U.S. team and Canadian fans clashing both on and off the ice.
A Heated Hockey Tournament
At the tournament, the performances of both anthems were met with mixed reactions.
In Montreal, the Star-Spangled Banner was met with loud boos, while the U.S. fans in Boston returned the favor during O Canada.
Some viewers of Kreviazuk’s performance accused her of forgetting the lyrics or being out of tune, not realizing the change she’d made on purpose.
Canada Gets the Last Laugh
Despite the tension, it was Canada who ultimately had the last laugh.
After a tough loss to the U.S. in round robin play, Canada came back strong, defeating the Americans 3-2 in a dramatic overtime win, claiming victory in the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Kreviazuk’s anthem performance, and the subsequent victory by the Canadian team, certainly left a lasting impression on the U.S. side of the border.