SEVEN NEWS. A ZOZOBRA IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, AND TODAY PEOPLE AUDITIONING TO SING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FOR THE BIG EVENT. JULIAN PARAS SHOWS US WHO THE LUCKY SINGER WILL BE. WHAT I’VE HEARD FROM OTHER PEOPLE IS JUST LIKE A REALLY BIG, FUN FESTIVAL TYPE THING. THAT’S PART OF THE REASON FOLKS LIKE TONY MORGAN DECIDED TO COME OUT AND AUDITION TO SING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER BEFORE THE BURNING OF THE BEAST. OF THE DOZEN OR SO PARTICIPANTS, MANY CAME READY TO PERFORM. IT WAS PRETTY SPUR OF THE MOMENT, ACTUALLY. I’D BEEN IN THE MUSICAL THEATER SPACE, SO I FIGURE MY MINDSET IS JUST LIKE, IF THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY, I MIGHT AS WELL TAKE IT. ALTHOUGH SOME SEEMED NERVOUS, THEY WERE HAPPY TO GET OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE. YOU COULD PROBABLY TELL I WAS NERVOUS, BUT I HIT THE NOTES I WANTED TO HIT, WHICH MADE ME HAPPY. ULTIMATELY, ALL OF THEM WERE EXCITED TO CELEBRATE. REGARDLESS OF WHO GETS THE GIG. I THINK I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR THAT MY FIANCE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME SEE ZOZOBRA. AND AFTER EVERYONE FINISHED, A WINNER WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE WINNER OF TODAY’S AUDITIONS. CONTESTANT NUMBER TWO. AND IT HAPPENED TO BE MORGAN WHO EXPRESSED TO ME HER EXCITEMENT AND SURPRISE WHEN THEY SAID THERE WERE TWO. I COULDN’T EVEN REMEMBER MY NUMBER. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY EXCITING. A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR
‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ singer announced for Zozobra 2025
Toni Morgan will have the honor of singing during the 101st burning of Zozobra.
“What I’ve heard from other people, it’s just like a really big fun festival type thing,” Toni Morgan said regarding Zozobra.That is part of the reason folks like Morgan decided to come out and audition to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the burning of the beast. Of the dozen or so participants, many came ready to perform. “It was pretty spur of the moment, actually,” Sarah Dunston said. “I’ve been in the musical theater space, so I figure my mindset, if there is opportunity, I might as well take it.”Although some seemed nervous, they were happy to get out of their comfort zone. Ariel Cassell said, “I was really nervous, but I hit the notes I wanted to hit. That’s why I’m happy.”Ultimately, all of them were excited for the celebration regardless of who got the gig. After everyone finished, a winner was announced. It was Morgan, who expressed to me her excitement and surprise. “When they said the result, I couldn’t remember I was wearing No. 2,” Morgan said. “So this is going to be very, very exciting.”
“What I’ve heard from other people, it’s just like a really big fun festival type thing,” Toni Morgan said regarding Zozobra.
That is part of the reason folks like Morgan decided to come out and audition to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the burning of the beast. Of the dozen or so participants, many came ready to perform.
“It was pretty spur of the moment, actually,” Sarah Dunston said. “I’ve been in the musical theater space, so I figure my mindset, if there is opportunity, I might as well take it.”
Although some seemed nervous, they were happy to get out of their comfort zone.
Ariel Cassell said, “I was really nervous, but I hit the notes I wanted to hit. That’s why I’m happy.”
Ultimately, all of them were excited for the celebration regardless of who got the gig. After everyone finished, a winner was announced. It was Morgan, who expressed to me her excitement and surprise.
“When they said the result, I couldn’t remember I was wearing No. 2,” Morgan said. “So this is going to be very, very exciting.”
