Singer Karina Pasian responded after she ruffled some feathers with her outfit while performing the United States national anthem on the NFL’s inaugural trip to Spain.
Pasian, 34, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game between the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders in Madrid on Sunday, November 16, while decked out in a sparkly black mini dress, thigh-high stockings with garters and high heels.
“It was not my intention to offend anyone,” Pasian told TMZ Sports on Tuesday, November 18. “I’m really sorry if anyone felt offended by it. But it wasn’t my intention. My intention was to have a good time. My look is super cabaret, super burlesque. That’s the aesthetic I love. I really admire that aesthetic. I just wanted to elevate the look I already have to match the occasion.”
She added, “I felt super proud and I felt great in what I chose to wear.”
Pasian said her outfit was approved by the NFL “a few days before,” but that didn’t stop critics from flooding social media after her performance.
“Plunging neckline, garters, and thigh-highs…for the National Anthem?” one person wrote via X. “Only the NFL could turn the Star-Spangled Banner into a runway for lingerie! What was she THINKING?”
Another wrote, “Is the woman singing the National Anthem in Madrid a stripper? WOW.”
“Great to see the sharing of sport and competition with other countries!!” one football fan shared. “Karina’s rendition of the US national anthem was lovely, but why is she dressed like a hooker?”
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 16: Karina Pasian sings the national anthem prior to the NFL 2025 game between Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Tan Jun/Getty Images
Despite the criticism, Pasian said she was able to appreciate and savor the moment.
“I felt super honored,” she said. “I enjoyed it so much. It was surreal. I just wanted to honor the States, I wanted to do an amazing job.”
Pasian revealed on social media that she was wearing a vintage Marc Jacobs dress, which her stylists turned into “their own unique piece.”
“You have an enormous talent, I am super grateful to have you on my team and I couldn’t be happier with this look!!!” Pasian shared via Instagram on Tuesday.
In a separate post, Pasian — who was born in New York City but now lives in Madrid — said she had plenty of supporters to help drown out her detractors.
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“Thank you @nfl for an amazing event!!!!!” she wrote via Instagram on Monday, November 17. “Floored with all the love i’ve been receiving. i’m so grateful!!!!!! thank you thank you thank you it’s such an honor to represent my country in the place i now call home 🥹💙.”
The NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Spain was part of the league’s International Series, which is an effort to help grow the game overseas.
In addition to the game in Madrid, the league has hosted games this season in Brazil, Ireland, England and Germany.
“We will be back, we are excited,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told Spanish media after the game in Madrid. “This has been a great opportunity for us. We always wait until we get through the games, but we want to be back here in Madrid [and] Spain. I think this is a great market for us.”
