Former 'American Idol' Contestant Performs National Anthem at NBA Cup Final
- - Former 'American Idol' Contestant Performs National Anthem at NBA Cup Final
Madz DizonDecember 16, 2025 at 9:38 PM
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Queen Naija, the multi-platinum R&B singer and former American Idol contestant, thrilled fans with a stirring performance of the national anthem before the 2025 NBA Cup Final.
The Las Vegas crowd at T-Mobile Arena erupted in applause as the singer set the tone for the championship showdown between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
A video of her performance quickly went viral on X, capturing the hearts of basketball and music fans alike.
The NBA Cup Final pitted the Knicks against the Spurs in a high-stakes battle for the title and the accompanying cash prize. Before tip-off, a red carpet welcomed the players, while celebrities including Spike Lee, Chris Bosh and NBA legend James Worthy were spotted courtside.
Queen Naija performs the national anthem before the Emirates NBA Cup Championship game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, NevadaPhoto by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Amid this star-studded atmosphere, Queen Naija commanded attention as she sang the national anthem, kicking off the event with grace and energy.
Dawg. They got Queen Naija to perform the Star Spangled Banner before the San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks game in the NBA Cup Championship 😭 pic.twitter.com/KSG2jFXvi4
— RashticReport (@RashticReport) December 17, 2025
Queen Naija, born Queen Naija Bulls in Ypsilanti, Michigan, first gained recognition through her YouTube channel before competing on the 13th season of American Idol in 2014. Though she was eliminated before reaching the top 30, she has since transformed into a successful R&B artist, with multiple platinum and gold-certified singles and albums.
Reflecting on her journey, Queen Naija said in a past interview, "I guess just keep going. You got to be consistent. You got to trust God. My journey started from YouTube, and I didn’t even know, it just fell into my lap."
Her career evolution, including her recent EP releases After the Butterflies and 30., exemplifies her growth as both a musician and media personality.
Knicks Claim First NBA Cup Championship
While Queen Naija set the tone with her anthem, the Knicks dominated the fourth quarter to defeat the Spurs 124-113, securing their first NBA Cup title. OG Anunoby led New York with 28 points, Jalen Brunson added 25 and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Among attendees, former NBA player Metta Sandiford-Artest and media personalities Chandler Parsons and Richard Jefferson were seen enjoying the spectacle, while the Spurs’ superfan group added energy from the stands. Even with Wembanyama’s limited minutes for the Spurs, the night remained memorable thanks to Queen Naija’s opening performance.
Despite her early setback on American Idol, Queen Naija has become a symbol of perseverance and growth. She often encourages emerging artists to stay consistent and trust their journey.
"Do you want this and do you want what comes with it?" she asked in an interview. Her journey from YouTube vlogs to national stages like the NBA Cup exemplifies the rewards of persistence and resilience.
Related: National Anthem Singer for Lions-Cowboys Game Earns Praise
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
