Here's who will sing the national anthem at the 2026 Kentucky Oaks

Yahoo Sports4h ago21 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Nicole Scherzinger will perform the national anthem at the 2026 Kentucky Oaks on May 1. This year's event will be held in primetime, enhancing the experience for attendees.

Key points

Nicole Scherzinger to sing national anthem at 2026 Kentucky Oaks
Event scheduled for May 1, 2026
Kentucky Oaks moves to primetime for enhanced experience
Focus on women's health initiatives at the event

Mentioned in this story

Nicole ScherzingerChurchill Downs Racetrack

Kentucky Oaks

The 2026 Kentucky Derby promises to be a star-studded weekend, kicking off Friday, May 1 with the Kentucky Oaks.

As has become tradition, Churchill Downs Racetrack announces a major performer to sing the national anthem before the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby races.

Nicole Scherzinger is coming home in a big way. Ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 1, the Louisville‑raised superstar, who is fresh off her 2025 Tony Award win for best actress in a Broadway musical, will step onto the track to sing the national anthem.

"The Kentucky Oaks steps into a brighter national spotlight this year with its move to primetime, and we couldn't be prouder to see this moment realized," Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, said in a news release. "We're raising the bar for an unforgettable Oaks experience by bringing the energy of this historic race under the lights through an exciting fan program, highlighted by a performance from multi-platinum-selling artist Nicole Scherzinger, along with a strengthened commitment to women's health initiatives across the track."

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Scherzinger, a 1996 graduate of the Youth Performing Arts School, earned her Tony for a powerhouse turn as Norma Desmond in the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Sunset Boulevard," a role that cemented her as one of Broadway’s most commanding leading ladies.

Though born in Honolulu, Scherzinger grew up in Louisville, where she cut her teeth performing at Actors Theatre of Louisville and entertaining crowds at Kentucky Kingdom. From there, her career rocketed as a member of Eden’s Crush, Days of the New, and ultimately global fame with The Pussycat Dolls. With just two albums and more than 55 million records sold, the Dolls became one of the best‑selling female groups on the planet.