Cassandra DiFruscio speaks after getting a lot of hate.

Canadian singer Cassandra DiFruscio spoke out this week after getting a lot of hate for singing the US national anthem at an NFL game in California.

DiFruscio performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Saturday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. The moment aired just before kickoff and made a few unhappy.

Some fans praised her singing, but others were upset, mainly because she is Canadian. DiFruscio grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and now lives in Nashville. Critics questioned why a Canadian was chosen to sing the American anthem at an NFL game.

A few days later, DiFruscio responded in an interview with CTV News. She said she is moving on from the criticism and staying focused on her music.

“I’m just focused singing, and anthem performances can be emotional and subjective,” she told CTV News. “I’m definitely not the first person that people criticize for the anthem.”

DiFruscio Stays Focused Despite Online Anger

Singer and songwriter Cassandra DiFruscio (Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

DiFruscio said the reaction online felt very different from what she experienced in the stadium. She said fans at Levi’s Stadium cheered loudly and showed her a lot of support. She also thanked the 49ers staff for standing by her.

“They really, really were supportive,” she said.

She added that the backlash has not shaken her confidence. “I am just excited to perform it more, to be honest, I am ready to keep going,” DiFruscio said.

The 32-year-old singer has plenty of experience singing national anthems. She started at just 14 years old, performing at her older brother’s junior hockey games. Over the years, she has sung for major Canadian teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors, and Maple Leafs.

She has also performed at NBA playoff games. Her NFL appearance came during an important matchup, with Seattle fighting for playoff positioning.

Seattle went on to beat San Francisco 13-3. The win earned the Seahawks the No. 1 seed in the NFC, along with a first-round bye and home-field advantage.

For now, DiFruscio says she is staying focused on her music. She remains grateful for the opportunity and the support she felt on the field.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.