Singer Emma Tomlinson has revealed why her performance of the national anthem at the State of Origin series decider was so out of sync after she was hit by waves of criticism online.
Tomlinson was out of time with the music during her rendition at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, with the backing track appearing to momentarily drop out just before she started belting out Advance Australia Fair.
Now the singer/songwriter has opened up about the technical stuff-up that put a big dampener on what should have been one of the biggest nights of her career.
‘Tonight having no sound in my in-ears [earphones] and relying on the arena sound to hear myself as I could not hear anything,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘I am so proud to have sung the national anthem tonight at State of Origin 2026 Game III.’
In a separate post, Tomlinson cried as she thanked fans for reaching out with messages backing her despite the criticism, and further explained what happened.
Pictured: Singer Emma Tomlinson performs Advance Australia Fair at State of Origin game three on Wednesday night
Tomlinson couldn’t hold back her tears as she thanked fans for their support and explained the technical stuff-up that ruined her rendition of the anthem
The songstress explained that her earphones weren’t working and she could not hear herself at Suncorp Stadium
‘Hello you beautiful people. I just want to say thank you all so, so much for your unconditional and overwhelming support,’ she said.
‘I am so grateful and cannot thank you all enough considering my anthem tonight.
‘I had no sound. My in-ears weren’t working and I really did rely on the arena sound and those who were singing with me.
‘To be able to get through that was very challenging and I was just so grateful to have done that.
‘I really also hope that you all had an amazing night.’
Tomlinson copped a huge amount of criticism on social media straight after the song, with the vast majority of fans not picking up on the technical problems.
However, some viewers backed her and slammed the production of the song.
‘Sound guys f**ked over the national anthem singer. Great vocals but don’t think she could hear the music in her earpiece,’ one wrote on X.
Tomlinson had an each-way bet with her makeup on Wednesday night, using maroon eye and blue eye shadow
Pictured: A sample of the fan reaction in the immediate aftermath of the performance
‘Lady singing the anthem didn’t stand a chance,’ added another.
The anthem performance in game one of this year’s series was also hammered by fans, but for very different reasons.
Singer Robbie Mortimer – who is related to footy icon Steve Mortimer – was blasted for his take on the song, which he belted out in country and western style.
‘That is the strangest singing of the anthem I’ve ever heard,’ one fan wrote.
‘Is it me, or was that rendition of the National Anthem at the #Origin a shocker?’ wrote journalist and author Peter FitzSimons.
Many fans said Mortimer’s accent didn’t sound Aussie as he used an American-sounding twang during his performance.
‘It sounded like an American trying to sing the Australian anthem in an Aussie accent,’ one said.
