Award-winning singer Mary Miliben, spoke to reporters to reflect on her career and deep faith. She has had the honor of performing the national anthem for our consecutive U.S. presidents and is likely to perform when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office for his second term. She has consistently shocked crowds with her stunning renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Of the blessings of God and the blessings of this country, my life is truly the American dream, as many of our lives are,” Mary explained. “When we look, we see not only the hand of God over our lives, but we see also the blessings and the benefits that we’ve received by being an American citizen.” While she is most famous for her stunning stage presence, it was difficult for her to get started.
Mary says she was “very fearful to be on stage as a child, and certainly as a young teen.” However, her mother, who she describes as a “hero,” helped her overcome it. She first sang the national anthem at church. On one July 4th performance, her mother wanted her to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “I was excited about singing it,” she explained, “but I didn’t at all know at the time that that would become a career, of singing the anthem. But I would say that that moment doing the anthem at that age started my love for patriotism.”
She eventually, performed the anthem for Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden. She is especially happy to sing from Trump’s second inauguration. “I’m just happy that he and the first lady have been blessed with another opportunity to serve the country,” she explained. “The policies of the four years of the president were best for America and the policies that are already in motion are going to be better.”
She went on to say “He’s a different man because of what he experienced, the assassination attempts on his life.” Miliben says certainly sees, firsthand, how it has made him a different man — he’s so much more bold to speak out about God and his faith and his journey of faith. It’s been really encouraging for me, and I know it has been for the country and your listeners, to see the president get up and admonish the Lord and his walk with God.”
The Singer says the anthem holds a special place in her heart, and she’s relieved that the canceled campaign against the anthem appears to be finally over. She recalls “I was not only frustrated. I was moved to anger, which of course I had to repent to the Lord, in my anger, but I tell you, I was angry to see people who disrespected the anthem, disrespected the flag, disrespected our country.”
She recently performed at Trump’s historic Madison Square Garden rally. “Having a debut at Madison Square Garden was such a big deal for me personally, but then having a debut at Madison Square Garden in support of President Trump and it being right before election day was incredible,” she said. The singer noted the venue was filled to capacity with people “from every walk of life and every culture, every age.”
Watch the Video of Her stunning Performance Below
“I’ve just been really lucky,” she later said to conclude her remarks. “The Lord dropped me into a music career singing the national anthem, patriotic music, songs that just reinforce everyday service, and that has been, I think, the greatest part of this life. It’s something that I genuinely love to do.” While she has not been officially confirmed for Trumps inauguration, her presence seems likely.
Featured image: Screen shot from embedded video.