Alanis Morissette Stuns WNBA Finals Crowd With National Anthem Performance

Alanis Morissette brought her unmistakable voice to the WNBA Finals, delivering the U.S. national anthem ahead of game two between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream on Oct. 19. According to the source, the 52-year-old singer's rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” earned a standing ovation, with some spectators appearing visibly emotional as she performed. For the San Francisco appearance, Morissette kept her look casual while making a pointed statement in support of women's sports. The source reports that the “You Oughta Know” singer wore jeans with a blue-and-white T-shirt bearing the French phrase “tout le monde regarde le sport féminin,” translated as “everyone watches women's sports.” Her signature long hair completed the understated look as American flags were visible behind her during the performance. The appearance put the Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee at the center of one of the championship series' big pregame moments. Morissette, whose 1995 album “Jagged Little Pill” became the defining release of her career, was presented by the source as bringing her trademark raw vocal style to the anthem before the teams took the court. She was not the only veteran music star involved in the evening's festivities. According to the article, Bay Area rapper Too Short was also at the arena and helped energize the crowd by banging the drum. The source noted a particularly fitting connection: Valkyries forward Gabby Williams has identified the “Blow the Whistle” rapper as her favorite artist and a lucky charm. Still, it was Morissette's anthem that supplied the night's high-profile opening flourish. Between the standing response from the crowd and her message-bearing outfit, the singer turned the ceremonial performance into a memorable WNBA Finals appearance, according to the source.