Gladys Knight, 76, Defies Her Age Performing the National Anthem at 2021 NBA All-Star Game

Gladys Knight embodied the "Black Don't Crack" mantra at her recent appearance at the NBA All-Star game, where she had no hair out of place, showing off her classy glam.

Music star Gladys Knight graced the recently concluded NBA All-Star night, appearing to have no hair out of place as she opened the games with a flawless rendition of the national anthem.

The songstress introduced as a Grammy-winning singer mounted the sparkly stage rocking an all-white look. Knight donned a fluffy white blazer jacket over a beige camisole and matching white pants.

The star sported a pair of white stilettos while she wore her hair in cropped curls. Knight, 76, rocked gold earrings while completing her elevated appearance with subtle makeup.

The singer who doubles as an actress did not falter, belting out a powerful version of the American anthem while the star-studded audience and players listened in awe.

The effect of Knight's soul-string rendition was also felt on social media, with many fans on Twitter weighing in on how she stayed relevant, letting the world know she was a living legend.

Music star Alessia Cara also took the stage to sing the Canadian anthem. The NBA All-Star also honored HBCU colleges, giving the center stage to schools like Morehouse College, the Florida A&M University, and Clark Atlanta University for performances.

One of such is Whitney Houston's 1991 Super Bowl XXV performance that is thirty years old.

Leading up to the D-day, there were announcements stating that Knight would join some stars in honoring the United States at the star-studded games. She took to Twitter showing her excitement.

Over the years, many stars have taken center stage at big sports events like the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star games, duly performing the country's Star-Spangled Banner, and some of them have been tagged iconic to date.

One of such is Whitney Houston's 1991 Super Bowl XXV performance that is thirty years old but still very much resonating. Jennifer Hudson did justice to the same lyrics on the stage of Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.

Other singers who have left indelible memories in citizens' minds include Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and the list goes on.

Since the early 1950s, Knight has established her skills as a singer starting the Pips with her siblings. Way into the 1970s, the music icon bagged accolades as a solo singer, becoming a seven-time Grammy winner among other achievements.