Canadian singer JP Saxe made headlines on Monday night by changing the lyrics of the national anthem during the World Series game. Before the Toronto Blue Jays played against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saxe performed O Canada on the field. Instead of the traditional line, he sang, "our home on native land," which sparked a wave of reactions on social media.

Many viewers expressed their discontent with the alteration. Sports commentator Ben Steiner criticized the change in a post on X, questioning why artists feel compelled to modify the national anthem. He referenced a past performance by Montreal-born Nikki Yanofsky at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, which also drew criticism for its unique interpretation. Steiner remarked, "Just sing it as is."

Toronto radio host Greg Brady echoed similar sentiments, stating, "STOP bastardizing ‘O Canada,’ OUR national anthem. It belongs to all of us – whomever our parents & grandparents are, & wherever you are born." He emphasized the importance of unity during such performances, saying, "You broke the shared experience. You had a civic responsibility. This isn’t negotiable."

Some social media users were particularly harsh. One user named Stacey labeled Saxe’s performance a "pathetic, attention-seeking stunt," while lawyer Ryan O’Connor described it as an "upside-down flag moment." However, another user, Kim, defended Saxe, pointing out, "Well, Canada IS on Native land."

Saxe, who was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2020 for his song If The World Was Ending, had recently canceled his fall tour due to low ticket sales. In an op-ed for a publication, he expressed gratitude for the support he received from fellow artists, including Natasha Bedingfield and J Balvin, who praised his honesty about the situation.

The Jonas Brothers, who invited Saxe to perform at their Toronto concert in late August, also faced backlash for their own performance during Game 2 of the World Series. They played a Stand Up to Cancer tribute mid-game, which some fans deemed an "ill-timed interruption."

This is not the first instance of a Canadian artist altering the anthem's lyrics. Jully Black made a similar change during her performance of O Canada at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Utah. The Assembly of First Nations recognized her for her contributions and allyship. Black continued to use the modified lyrics at a law school graduation in Toronto, stating her intention was to acknowledge the country’s historical injustices regarding Indigenous land.

Looking ahead, Toronto singer Deborah Cox is scheduled to perform O Canada at Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday in Los Angeles.