Singer Rachel Platten has broken her silence after her performances ahead of Los Angeles' playoff matchup against the Minnesota Vikings sparked backlash.
The Rams earned an emotional wild card victory after a devastating week in Los Angeles, where thousands of homes were destroyed and 24 lives lost amid the ongoing wildfires.
And the franchise paid tribute to wildfire victims and firefighters who continue to battle dangerous conditions, including Platten's performances.
After seven days of turmoil and tragedy, Platten performed his 2015 hit, 'Fight Song,' as a form of call to Los Angeles ahead of the playoff showdown.
Platten later fought back tears at the end of her emotionally charged performance of the Star Spangled Banner. However, a large number of football fans did not believe it and many accused the singer of faking tears.
The singer, however, spoke about her performances at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, insisting that the entire night had been emotional.
Rachel Platten's performances before LA Rams' Wild Card playoff game drew criticism
The singer has spoken out about her performance of her hit 'Fight Song' and the national anthem.
'It was a very emotional night. “It was much bigger than me and the song,” he said. Billboardtalking about 'Fight Song'.
The song choice had raised eyebrows as the song originally appeared on their second studio album titled 'Wildfire'.
However, Platten had changed a lyric in the first verse – “I may only have a match/But I can make an explosion” – for a more appropriate choice given the circumstances: “We could have been shot down/But I know we were.” I'll keep going.'
“I feel incredibly grateful for the whole night,” she added. 'We can do so many things with tragedy. We can cry together and we can cry together, but there are also times to be strong together.
“What I felt on stage was: 'May this song touch people as if it were medicine, may this song be healing.'” I did feel a reverberation and an echo in the stadium of that hunger for hope in the midst of darkness. Sometimes music can do what words can't.
Platten also addressed the performance via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, but did not acknowledge the reaction.
The singer-songwriter decided to focus solely on the praise others were receiving while re-sharing her positive reviews on her platform.
Several users had taken to social media to accuse the singer-songwriter of “fake crying” at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where Monday's game was moved due to wildfires in Los Angeles.
After seven days of turmoil and tragedy, Platten performed 'Fight Song' in tribute to Los Angeles.
“Rachel Platten pretending to cry after the national anthem was a comedy,” said one on X.
Another asked: 'Did that lady start pretending to cry after singing the National Anthem?'
“Rachel Platten should never play the National Anthem and that dramatic scream on camera again… give me a break,” wrote a third.
One user responded to that comment: “I'm glad someone else noticed that 'I need all the attention' moment.”
While another claimed: 'FAKE TEARS FROM RACHEL PLATTEN, SHE'S NOT EVEN THE ONE SHE GREW UP IN NEWTON MASS.'
Despite the false accusations, Los Angeles players were also moved by the moment Platten sang the national anthem.
The ESPN broadcast looked at Rams stars Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, who appeared drowned in the dugout, while head coach Sean McVay was caught looking glassy-eyed.
As a growing force of firefighters continues to battle brutal conditions on the front lines in Los Angeles, the Rams honored their hometown heroes earlier in the night.
Firefighters continue to battle brutal conditions on the front lines in Los Angeles.
Rams stars (pictured by Cooper Kupp) wore t-shirts honoring the Los Angeles Fire Department
Stafford, McVay and company. They also wore special t-shirts with the legend 'LAFD', in the team colors, as the players took the field to warm up, while a moment of silence was observed before the game to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy.
Before the teams took the field to join together to sing the national anthem, Platten had performed a rendition of his 2015 hit 'Fight Song', over a montage showing first responders heroically fighting the infernos.
Arriving at State Farm Stadium on Monday night, quarterback Stafford decided to make his own gesture as he donned a navy blue LAFD hoodie for his entrance.
He then inspired his team to a surprising 27-9 victory over the Vikings after completing 19 of his 27 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns.