At a Glance
- Vanessa Williams’ national anthem was interrupted by a heckler yelling “Leave Greenland alone!” at London’s O2 Arena on January 18, 2026
- The incident occurred before tipoff between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic, the first NBA game in London since 2019
- Williams, 62, remained composed and finished the anthem as players stood on court
- Why it matters: The outburst highlights public backlash to President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, turning a basketball showcase into a political flashpoint
A heckler hijacked Vanessa Williams’ performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the NBA’s London showcase on January 18, shouting “Leave Greenland alone!” midway through the anthem. The interruption, captured on video, did not derail the 62-year-old singer, who completed the song as players from both teams looked on.
The moment unfolded inside the packed O2 Arena, where the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic were set to tip off the league’s first game in the city since 2019. According to the Associated Press, the crowd responded with “scattered laughter and applause,” while Williams appeared “unfazed.”
The heckler’s message targeted President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that he is pursuing a “range of options” to take control of Greenland. The outburst injected raw political tension into what the NBA had billed as a celebration of global basketball.
Game Goes On
Despite the disruption, the contest tipped off on schedule. The Grizzlies defeated the Magic 126-109, giving Memphis a split in the two-game Europe set. Three days earlier in Berlin, Orlando had stormed back to win 118-111, powered by Anthony Black’s viral dunk over four Memphis defenders.
The London stop marked the culmination of the NBA’s return to European soil after a five-year absence. League officials had promoted the games as a bridge between cultures; instead, the anthem became a stage for geopolitical protest.
Trump’s Greenland Push
The heckler’s cry echoed Trump’s intensifying campaign to acquire the autonomous Danish territory. On the same day as the game, PBS NewsHour reporter Nick Schifrin posted a letter Trump sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. In the note, Trump linked his failure to win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to his Greenland ambition.
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America,” the president wrote.
The letter, confirmed by News Of Los Angeles, underscores Trump’s willingness to leverage any leverage-diplomatic, economic, or otherwise-to secure the Arctic island. Greenland’s government has repeatedly rejected the idea, and Denmark has called any sale “absurd.”
Williams Keeps Composure
Williams, a Grammy- and Emmy-winning artist, has sung the anthem at major sporting events for decades. On Sunday she wore a tailored navy coat and white gloves, standing alone at mid-court as the arena lights dimmed. The interruption came roughly 40 seconds into the anthem, just as she reached the phrase “whose broad stripes and bright stars.”
Video shows Williams pausing for less than a beat after the shout, then continuing without missing a note. Players from both teams-already lined up along the sideline-glanced toward the stands but remained still. Arena security removed the unidentified protester within seconds.
The Associated Press described the audience reaction as “mixed,” with some fans laughing nervously and others applauding Williams’ poise. No arrests were announced, and the game proceeded without further incident.
NBA’s European Gamble
The league staged the two-game Europe swing to rebuild momentum lost during the pandemic-era hiatus. Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena sold out in minutes, and London’s O2 followed suit. Commissioner Adam Silver had touted the series as proof of basketball’s “borderless appeal.”
Instead, the anthem controversy threatens to overshadow on-court storylines. In Berlin, 20-year-old Magic guard Anthony Black became an overnight social-media star after leaping over four Grizzlies for a thunderous fourth-quarter dunk. The clip has drawn more than 50 million views on the league’s official accounts.
Memphis evened the series behind Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 31 points and 12 rebounds in London. Desmond Bane added 27, while Ja Morant chipped in 22 points and 11 assists. For Orlando, Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 34, but the Magic shot just 29 percent from three-point range after halftime.
Political Undercurrent
Trump’s Greenland rhetoric has moved from off-hand remark to formal policy push. Administration officials have floated everything from outright purchase to enhanced military leases. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have responded with firm rejections, citing sovereignty and environmental concerns.
The heckler’s choice of venue-an American cultural export on foreign soil-amplified the symbolism. By targeting the anthem, the protester aimed directly at U.S. identity, turning a ceremonial moment into a geopolitical statement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on the incident when reached by News Of Los Angeles. The NBA issued a brief statement: “We are proud to showcase our game and its values around the world. We remain committed to respectful and inclusive environments for all.”
What’s Next
The Grizzlies and Magic return stateside for regular-season play starting January 23. The league has not announced future Europe games, though executives have hinted at Madrid or Paris in 2027. Williams is scheduled to perform the anthem at next month’s NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.
For now, the image that lingers is not a dunk or a crossover, but a lone voice yelling across an ocean of politics-and a seasoned performer refusing to flinch.
