Megan Paquin Lends Crisis Management Insight Surrounding Disastrous National Anthem Performance on Good Day Orlando

After a nationally criticized national anthem performance at the Major League Baseball 2024 Home Run Derby, Chief Executive Officer Megan Paquin, APR, CPRC, appeared on FOX 35’s Good Day Orlando to outline expert crisis management considerations. The country musician Ingrid Andress’ performance has been described as one of the worst pre-game renditions in modern history. Following the backlash, Andress revealed on social media that she was intoxicated during the performance and would be entering rehab.

“It really does beg the question, who was with her at the time that could have potentially stopped the performance or could have stopped her drinking,” Paquin said. “In pop culture in particular, these moments are happening very, very quickly, and I’m sure that she was getting a lot of attention and a lot of questions very quickly. The sooner you can answer those questions is great, but you want those answers to be authentic.”

Paquin noted that the tone of Andress’s apology could be perceived as disrespectful.

“At the end it is a little bit flippant, and I think the millions of Americans who struggle with substance abuse and addiction and their families wouldn’t say that rehab is fun. And I think she is going to learn that,” she said.

According to Paquin, “Whether or not the statement and her actions afterward are effective for her brand is really going to come down to how she goes through that recovery process and whether her fans choose to hold her accountable.”