Ethan Hall’s national anthem hiccup goes viral

IT’S every singer’s worst nightmare, but Adelaide’s Ethan Hall, 7, wasn’t deterred. He sang on — and now his story has gone across the world.

IT’S every singer’s worst nightmare: a bout of the hiccups just before you have to perform on stage.

But pint-sized Ethan Hall, 7, didn’t let his uncontrollable breathing spasms derail his rendition of the national anthem at the Australian Baseball League match between the Adelaide Bite and Brisbane Bandits at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.

Instead, the Mitchell Park singer responded in the best way possible, completing a memorable version of Advance Australia Fair — despite every second line being interrupted by an involuntary hiccup — and earning the admiration of the players and crowd alike.

“I got so many high fives from everyone ... they clapped and clapped, and clapped and clapped,” he told The Advertiser.

Ethan, 7, with his proud parents Tim and Kylie Hall. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Ethan has since become a global online sensation, with video of his brave performance viewed thousands of times on YouTube and picked up by websites around the world including UK’s Sky News.

He’s also booked to appear on national breakfast television and radio shows on Monday morning.

On Sunday, Ethan was basking in the glow of his performance, which has won him the nickname Hiccups.

“It feels awesome, I’m very excited. I feel special and I feel famous ... so many people have seen my anthem,” he said.

His mother, Kylie Hall, said Ethan, who has been taking singing lessons for two years at the Hallmark Music Studio, was an experienced singer who had never had issues performing in the past.

Ethan battles through the hiccups during his performance of the national anthem.

Ethan kept singing the national anthem at the Adelaide Bite game — despite his hiccups. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“He was a little more apprehensive than usual, the stadium can be overwhelming but he was also very excited about the opportunity,” Mrs Hall said.

“He started to get hiccups on Friday night and we hoped they would go away. He was fine on the way to the stadium but just as he was about to get out there, he said, ‘My hiccups are back.’

“I just kept trying to encourage him to keep going and to do his best. I thought he did an amazing job.”

Now, like any true performer, Ethan is enjoying the limelight while it lasts.

“Yes, he’s loving the attention. He’s just riding the wave today ... he’s been counting how many hits he’s been getting on YouTube,” Mrs Hall says.