The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
A microphone failure and a viral video have cast an 8-year-old Chesapeake girl into the national spotlight.
Elizabeth Hughes has gained attention for her performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that was cut short when her microphone died. She sang last weekend at an Admirals hockey game at Norfolk’s Scope.
The girl had just finished the line “the bombs bursting in air” when the microphone went silent.
Composed beyond her years, Elizabeth kept singing – although her voice wasn’t audible to the crowd. The spectators soon joined in for a rousing finish and gave the girl a nice reception.
A YouTube video of the performance posted by Elizabeth’s mother, Dorothy Hughes, has become a sensation, gaining more than 2 million hits by early Friday morning.
Meanwhile, the interview requests for the third-grader at Hebrew Academy of Tidewater have been streaming in, said her father, Ralph Hughes. Among the requests: a pending interview on CBS’ “The Early Show.”
“We’re just basking in her 15 minutes of fame,” said Ralph Hughes, calling from the studios of WTKR-TV NewsChannel 3 in Norfolk, where Elizabeth recorded an interview Thursday.
She also recorded a segment via satellite for the cable TV show “Inside Edition,” which was set to air Thursday night.
“Everything is happening pretty fast, just from that moment,” her dad said.
The family has lived in Hampton Roads since 2004, moving from New Orleans. Ralph is a retired Marine, and Dorothy is a fifth-grade teacher at Hebrew Academy.
Elizabeth, a crystal-clear soprano, was selected to sing the national anthem after her parents submitted a demo tape to the Admirals.
Elizabeth is a member of the Virginia Children’s Chorus and loves musical theater.
Her mother notes that the Admirals’ crowd didn’t get to hear Elizabeth’s big finish – the amazing high note she hits at the end of “land of the free ” – but they will have another chance.
The Admirals have invited her back to sing at the Feb. 5 game.
“It turned out to be a wonderful moment for everybody,” her dad said.
Rashod Ollison, (757) 446-2732, rashod.ollison@pilotonline.com
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The Anthem
should be changed. It's too long and boring and hard to sing. America the beautiful is a much better choice IMHO.
Wonderful night!
I brought my daughter to the game for daddy/daughter night. This 8 year old was singing her heart out and we heard a thump and there wasn't any sound but we as AMERICANS stood behind this young lady and finished as a big choir or back up singers. What an incredible experience and the young lady didn't QUIT!! God Bless you!!
sweet kid
Unfortunately the reporter that interviewed her and her mom on MSNBC said the family is from Virginia Beach not Chesapeake. But I'm proud of her regardless, Go Chesapeake!!!!!!!
To the lady that laughed..
I bet you feel like a jerk now.
WHO Laughs at an eight year old princess belting our national anthem out to a crowd?
Bravo Zulu Elizabeth!
TOUCHED MY HEART
Amazing moment and she handled it so well, probably better than most adults would have.
Thank goodness there is no way to track this young girl down. Good thing they did not show her picture or give her name or her parent’s name. Nor give the name of the school she goes to or the area she lives in.
2 Million views really? How many parents would introduce their 8 yr old daughter to 2 Million strangers? Well these just did.
Elizabeth
What a wonderful, talented young lady you are. You may or may not realize what you accomplished in your poise and talent. You brought together, if only for a little bit a nation that is still great and getting better. I swell with pride thinking about how you kept going as the audience broke into a heartfelt helper for you. Please Elizabeth remain strong and love your country as you show your talent....................
What's so funny?
Wow! Very moving. I can't believe a lady laughs when the microphone goes out though. What's so funny?
What a Beautiful Moment
I am not at all a hockey fan, and have attended just one Admirals game in my entire life.
I don't intend to go to another, but I still couldn't be more proud to be a resident of the city in which this happened. Well done all of you who were at that game!
God resides in the hearts of
God resides in the hearts of children. After all, where would you rather be?
WOW
I saw the video yesterday and was blown away- and that was before I knew she was local! Who knew we had such promising talent in our midst? And the maturity to go with it is impressive. Congratulations Elizabeth, you have the makings of a superstar!