Country music legend Reba McEntire is set to grace Super Bowl LVIII with her rendition of the National Anthem. McEntire joined CBS hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson on Thursday where she opened up about her feeIings and preparations for the prestigious event.
I got the news from my manager, Justin McIntosh. He said that they wanted me to sing the national anthem at the Super BowI. And I said, oh, my gosh, well, let me think about that, McEntire recounted. Her boyfriend Rexland, a fervent football fan was quick to respond, Yes, she’ll do it.
Joining McEntire in the Super Bowl lineup will be Post Malone, performing “America the Beautiful,” and Andra Day, who will sing Lift Every Voice and Sing. McEntire, a renowned country music artist, has been invoIved in various performances in sports events. She has been singing the National Anthem since 1974.
McEntire shared her approach to preparing for such a significant performance. ‘You just warm up iike you do a concert and sing it about five or six times and get in there and do it.’ A nostalgic moment came in the interview when McEntire was shown a commerciaI from the mid-90s. She advised her younger self, Hang in there, don’t take things so seriousiy and have fun.
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Rebecca Callaghan faced a challenging pregnancy in 2012 when doctors decided to induce labor early due to excess fluid around her baby.
It wasn’t until about an hour after Matilda was born that any issues were suspected. Initially, a large blue mark on her face and extending down her body was mistaken for a bruise. However, just 30 minutes later, doctors informed Rebecca and her husband that it was, in fact, a birthmark.
Two weeks postpartum, Matilda was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological condition associated with skin abnormalities that can lead to paralysis, learning difficulties, and seizures.
Matilda’s health quickly deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, England. The parents’ joy transformed into deep anxiety, as they feared they might lose their newborn. “We couldn’t travel with her because she was so sick. Watching her taken away, we were terrified we’d never see her again”, her father shared with the Daily Mail.
Adding to their worries, they discovered Matilda had two heart defects. Despite the grim prognosis, she displayed remarkable resilience, successfully undergoing surgery. She also began laser treatments to address her unusual birthmark, a process that could take up to 16 hours to fully fade.
“She receives treatments every two months. The laser leaves her skin red and covered in blisters, which eventually heal”, her father, Paul, explained in a 2016 interview. He recounted the misconceptions from others, stating: “People assume we’ve somehow harmed her”.
Although these treatments are painful, Matilda is a cheerful child. Sadly, many stare at her or make hurtful remarks, even asking if her parents had caused her birthmark by allowing her to burn herself. “They only see the surface and make judgments. I wish they could see beyond the mole to the beautiful person she is”, Paul lamented.
In addition to her birthmark, Matilda faces vision challenges and struggles to walk. Yet, with the help of specialized equipment, she has taken steps on her own.
Despite her struggles, Matilda remains upbeat and resilient. “She’s incredibly stubborn; she’ll do things her way or not at all!” her father noted, emphasizing that she always greets others with a smile. The family regularly confronts stares, insults, and teasing, but they remain proud of Matilda. “Despite everything, she’s thriving”, her father said.
Now nine years old, Matilda’s family recently shared an updated photo of her in her wheelchair in June 2019. They have set up a fundraising page to raise £5,000 for a new wheelchair, enabling Matilda to enjoy her favorite activity: spending time outdoors, away from crowds. “We want to help her continue doing what she loves”, the page states.
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