Martha Reeves has responded to criticism of her widely mocked rendition of the US national anthem at the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League event. Speaking to Fox 2 Detroit, the Motown singer blamed the accompanying vocalists, saying she had not rehearsed with them, before performing a solo repeat; the episode has attracted attention because the new version was also judged poorly by observers.

Reeves said the backing singers had been off-key and suggested they were seeking payment, while maintaining she was proud of the original performance. Her claim that there had been no rehearsal appears to conflict with videos later published by TMZ showing a rehearsal, and she said she was pleased she had not reacted physically to one of the singers.