Standing just 4-foot-11, Kristin Chenoweth is once again taking center stage — this time at one of the biggest events in basketball.
The acclaimed actress and singer, a proud Oklahoma native and member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, will perform the U.S. national anthem ahead of Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. The highly anticipated matchup is set for Sunday night, June 22, and will be broadcast live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
A Thunder Fan Through and Through
Chenoweth hinted at the upcoming appearance on social media on Saturday. Sporting Thunder gear, she confirmed she was in Oklahoma City and joked about needing to “start warming up,” giving fans a short preview by singing the opening lines of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
A lifelong supporter of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chenoweth has made no secret of her loyalty to the team. Though she’s mentioned having a soft spot for the Lakers and Knicks, her devotion to the Thunder stands out. At one point, she even spent three hours decorating a Thunder hat with rhinestones. Raised in Broken Arrow — about 115 miles from Oklahoma City — she later attended Oklahoma City University.
Her love for the team even extends to her dog, named Thunder, who has been seen dressed in Thunder-themed outfits.
A Familiar Face at Thunder Games
Chenoweth has sung the national anthem at several Thunder games in the past, sometimes performing solo and other times alongside students from her Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp. The camp is part of her foundation, which supports arts and education initiatives and aims to inspire young talent through creative experiences.
A Celebrated Career in Entertainment
Beyond basketball, Chenoweth is widely recognized for her accomplishments on stage and screen. She won a Tony Award in 1999 for her role in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and received additional Tony nominations for her performances in Wicked (2004) and On the Twentieth Century (2015).
In 2009, she earned an Emmy Award for her role in the ABC comedy Pushing Daisies, further cementing her status as a versatile and beloved performer.
