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Local Radio Host Sympathizes With Aguilera After Botched Anthem

BOSTON (CBS) - It's our country, put to music - and it can be inspiring, uplifting, even exhilarating.

But one thing our national anthem is NOT, and that's easy to sing. Just ask Christina Aguilera.

Tens of millions heard her turn the fourth line of the anthem, into a repeat of the second at the start of last night's Super Bowl broadcast.

WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong reports.

Everyone knew something was wrong and so did she, but she kept going, which is what the experts say she had to do.

"When she messed up the words, I was listening and I kind of caught it," explains Mix 104.1 morning host Kennedy Elsey. "I didn't know exactly what she'd done wrong, but I knew something wasn't right."

Kennedy should know. She's sung our national anthem many times, in front of huge audiences, most recently in September of last year at Fenway Park. Forgetting the words is her number one fear.

"I'm very sympathetic toward her. I don't feel that anything she did was disrespectful."

Aguilera apologized almost immediately, saying she flubbed the words because she was overcome with emotion.

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