People expressed outrage over singer Karina Pasian’s attire during her performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the NFL’s international game in Madrid on November 16, 2025.
Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Karina Pasian sings the United States national anthem during the 2025 NFL Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Karina Pasian sings the United States national anthem during the 2025 NFL Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The performance took place before the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Spain, held at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which featured the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders.
Pasian wore a modified vintage Marc Jacobs look, according to her stylists.
The outfit featured a revealing black mini dress with a deep neckline, thigh-high stockings with visible garter straps and metallic accents, long gloves that reached above her elbows, and black high heels.
Madrid-based vocalist Karina Pasian sings the U.S. National Anthem for the first-ever NFL game in Spain. pic.twitter.com/vIhnBFq4sA
— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025
The Grammy-nominated singer expressed surprise at the intense negative reaction, stating it was not her intention to offend anyone and that she “loved” her cabaret-inspired look.
She noted that she was focusing on the positive feedback and the honor of performing in her new home city of Madrid.
In herinterview with TMZ, Pasian confirmed that the NFL had approved her outfit days before she took the field. Pasian apologized to anyone who felt offended, noting that her intention was only to have a good time.
Many people indeed expressed criticism and outrage on social media regarding singer Karina Pasian’s attire during her performance of the U.S. national anthem before the NFL’s game in Madrid.
The outfit was widely described by critics online as a “stripper outfit” or “cabaret” wear.
Karina Pasian sets off heated fan debate after Madrid national anthem look
People were still settling into their seats in Madrid when the reaction to Karina Pasian’s outfit started bubbling up. Once the performance hit social media, the comments rolled in fast and loud.
One fansaid, “Why dress like that?” sounding more puzzled than anything.
A second fansaid, “Dressing a woman as a hooker to do the national anthem is a wild move,” and that set the tone for many others.
A third fanasked, “Is the woman singing the National Anthem in Madrid a stripper WOW,” showing how stunned some viewers felt.
A fourth fanwrote, “What do you expect from those kind of people wait until bad bunny give his” and the thread started heating up.
A fifth fansaid, “Why do they always have to be half dressed Garters Ridiculous,” summing up a lot of the frustration.
The chatter has not slowed. It is all still unfolding as fans continue to weigh in.