Christina Aguilera Fumbles National Anthem at Super Bowl XLV

By Sharmaine Jones

Millions of football fans watched — and some even sang along — as Christina Aguilera belted out "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the start of Super Bowl XLV.

She looked great and sounded spectacular, hitting every note — until the fourth line of the first stanza. Instead of singing "O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming," Christina accidentally flubbed the words and sang, "What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last gleaming."

We've got to give it to her, she stumbled, but she didn't drop the ball. Aguilera found her place and remained poised and professional until the end of the song.

“I got so caught up in the moment of the song that I lost my place,” Aguilera said in a statement. “I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through."

Her pop peers didn't dwell on the drama. Fellow Super Bowl performer Will.i.am posted a picture and tweeted:

“Xtina sing'n wonderful”

The Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger posted on her Twitter:

“Lea M n X tina just killed it “sangin”! Sounded amazing here”

Jordin Sparks really hit the nail on the head, tweeting:

“The test of a true artist is continuing even when things go a little left & not letting ppl know it did during the performance. #ilovextina”

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

What do you think of Aguilera's performance? Do you know the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner"?

Tags Christina Aguilera, Football, national anthem, Super Bowl XLV, The Star-Spangled Banner, Will.I.am