Nicole Scherzinger’s 45-slowed-down-to-33 performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” not only features her wearing an outfit that covers her midriff (perhaps that’s the cause for the boos at the outset?), it’s pretty straight-and-narrow–not to mention relatively in key for an a capella performance. But surely I can’t be the only one who thinks that this is step one in her efforts to Kristy Lee Cook it up in a final, last-ditch effort to save her solo album from eternal label purgatory? I can’t wait until she wears a red, white, and blue jumpsuit for the Macy’s July 4 fireworks display and mashes her way through “God Bless The USA,” complete with a posse of Statue of Liberty-dressed Pussycat Dolls behind her. After all, nothing can be worse than her Duran Duran cover, right?

I had to. I’m sorry. Here’s the original as a peace offering.

Nicole Scherzinger Sings National Anthem [YouTube via ONTD]
Nicole Scherzinger – Rio (Caress Brazilian Mix) [YouTube]
Duran Duran Rio [YouTube]