A recent performance by singer and performer Uché has ignited a firestorm of criticism after a video surfaced of him singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” with a controversial twist.

In place of the time-honored closing line, “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” Uché deliberately changed the words to “land of the free, home of the gays.”

The moment, which was captured and shared on TikTok during Pride Month, has prompted widespread backlash from Americans who see the alteration as a blatant sign of disrespect toward a cherished national symbol.

The video, posted to Uché’s TikTok account (@uchesangs), quickly went viral, drawing hundreds of thousands of views and igniting passionate debate in the comments.

While the singer may have intended the change as an act of inclusivity or Pride celebration, many viewers saw it as something very different: a hijacking of America’s national anthem to promote a personal agenda.

To many Americans, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is more than a song. It is a solemn anthem that symbolizes sacrifice, courage, and patriotism.

Changing its lyrics—even a single line—strikes a nerve.

The anthem was written during the War of 1812 amid the bombardment of Fort McHenry, a moment of immense historical weight.

To treat it as a platform for ideological or identity-based expression, critics argue, is to trivialize the very spirit of national unity the anthem represents.

“It’s disgraceful,” wrote one user in the comments.

“I don’t care who you are or what month it is—you don’t change the words of our National Anthem for shock value.”

Another added, “Imagine the outrage if someone swapped out those lyrics for anything else. Why is this being tolerated just because it aligns with a certain agenda?”

The video’s popularity on TikTok has only amplified the controversy.

Uché performs with dramatic flair and a confident vocal delivery—but his revision of the closing lyrics seems to have crossed a line.

While some LGBTQ+ advocates defended the change as a playful nod to Pride Month, many others, including gay and lesbian veterans, voiced their disapproval.

One retired Marine wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I’m gay and I served proudly under that flag. The anthem isn’t about individual identity—it’s about all of us as Americans. That stunt was not empowering. It was embarrassing.”

The backlash hasn’t just come from conservatives or traditionalists either.

Moderates, veterans’ groups, and even some music professionals have weighed in, warning that altering national symbols undermines the very idea of unity that the anthem is meant to inspire.

Uché’s supporters argue that artists have long used music as a tool of protest or social commentary, pointing to past examples like Jimi Hendrix’s electric guitar version at Woodstock or Lady Gaga’s gender-inclusive anthem lyric swap during Pride Week in 2013.

But critics say this is different—not a reinterpretation, but an outright distortion of lyrics that millions of Americans hold sacred.

“This wasn’t an act of protest against injustice. It wasn’t a call to action. It was a vanity performance during Pride month that disrespected a song meant to unify the country,” said one political commentator on Fox News.

Others fear this kind of trend sets a dangerous precedent. “Where does it end?” asked one critic.

“Do we let people rewrite the Pledge of Allegiance next? Do we alter military oaths to suit the moment? Once we start casually changing our founding symbols, we lose any shared national identity.”

The timing of this controversy—coming just days before Independence Day—has only intensified the response.

With American flags flying across neighborhoods and communities preparing to honor military service and national pride, many see Uché’s performance as a slap in the face to tradition.

Public figures, including elected officials and veterans’ groups, have called for public apologies and a stronger defense of national heritage.

A growing number of people online are demanding TikTok remove or label the video as controversial content, citing national disrespect.

So far, Uché has not responded to the backlash directly, and the video remains online.

At a time when Americans already feel divided over culture, politics, and values, moments like this only deepen the divide.

Uché may have thought he was making a bold statement or celebrating his community, but for many, the result was a perceived mockery of a song that represents the lives and sacrifices of millions.

Ultimately, this isn’t just about a few words being changed in a song.

It’s about whether the national anthem—a symbol of collective identity—can be treated like a stage for personal expression.

The uproar surrounding Uché’s rendition is proof that for many Americans, the answer is a resounding “no.”

WATCH BELOW:

@uchesangs happy pride bihhh 🏳️‍🌈💪 #pridemonth ♬ original sound – Uché