{"id":517333,"date":"2026-07-09T09:42:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T09:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/517333\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T09:42:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T09:42:16","slug":"state-of-origin-2026-game-three-national-anthem-singer-emma-tomlinson-defends-challenging-audio-issues-in-emotional-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/517333\/","title":{"rendered":"State of Origin 2026 Game Three: National anthem singer Emma Tomlinson defends \u2018challenging\u2019 audio issues in emotional video"},"content":{"rendered":"

State of Origin<\/a> national anthem singer Emma Tomlinson has spoken out about her \u201cchallenging\u201d performance on Wednesday night in an emotional video. <\/p>\n

The 25-year-old singer, who performed the anthem ahead of Game Three<\/a> at Brisbane<\/a>\u2019s Suncorp Stadium, explained she was battling through technical difficulties in what she\u2019s described as the \u201cscariest situation\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Singer song-writer Emma Tomlinson said she\u2019s \u201cgrateful\u201d over the experience and support she\u2019s received. \u00a0Nine\/Instagram@_emma_tomlinson_<\/p>\n

Her defence comes after country star Robbie Mortimer was accused of \u201cmurdering\u201d the national anthem<\/a> during his performance ahead of Game One in May. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy anthem tonight, I had no sound, my in-ears weren\u2019t working, and I really did rely on the arena sound and [on] those who were singing with me,\u201d said Tomlinson in an Instagram<\/a> Story. <\/p>\n

Despite her incredible performance, it appeared the music was playing out of time with Tomlinson\u2019s voice. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo … to be able to get through that, that was very challenging,\u201d she said as she held back tears. <\/p>\n

Tomlinson became emotional over how grateful she was for the experience and the \u201cunconditional support\u201d she has received despite the audio issues she had to battle through. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just so grateful to have done that, and I really also hope that you all had an amazing night. <\/p>\n

Speaking on Today Extra<\/a> this morning, the Sunshine Coast local put it down to a \u201conce-in-a-lifetime blue moon error that happened\u201d. <\/p>\n

She explained the sound check went smoothly but the minute she went on stage her sound pack completely cut out. <\/p>\n

The singer tried to signal as best she could to the audio team but in front of a crowd of 52,000 NRL fans, the show had to go on. <\/p>\n

\u201cI just had to rely on the whole arena, how the timing was, and just wing it … Somehow by a miracle I wasn\u2019t out of tune at all,\u201d she laughed. <\/p>\n

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Tomlinson kept it professional despite the technical difficulties she faced during her live performance.\u00a0Instagram\/@_emma_tomlinson_<\/p>\n

Tomlinson, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, is an ambassador for Autism Australia and Autism Queensland. <\/p>\n

\u201cSinging for me, especially in school, was such a sanctuary for me to rely on,\u201d she told the Today Extra hosts about her experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to not be able to speak properly, I had a stutter, I was monotone, I really struggled with my words, and I was really, really shy,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo being able to use sound and frequencies to really train my ears and also train myself to be very loud and proud and use my ability to be who I am today.\u201d <\/p>\n