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“First Lady of Modern Gospel” Yolanda Adams to sing “America the Beautiful” at WrestleMania 35

By Andrea Hangst

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Yolanda Adams performs onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Yolanda Adams performs onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) /
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“America the Beautiful” is the typical kickoff for the WrestleMania main card, and this year the “First Lady of Modern Gospel” will be singing it.

Another special musical guest is set to appear at WrestleMania 35, with the WWE announcing on Friday that Yolanda Adams, the “First Lady of Modern Gospel,” will open the event by singing “America the Beautiful.”

Unlike other United States-based sports events, which typically open with the National Anthem, WrestleMania often opts instead for “America the Beautiful,” with celebrities such as John Legend, Willie Nelson, Gladys Knight, Boyz II Men and Aretha Franklin doing so in years past.

Adams has sold over 12 million albums worldwide and for 10 years was the host of The Yolanda Adams Morning Show on gospel radio stations around the country. She has won five Grammy Awards, seven NAACP Image Awards, five BET Awards, 16 Stellar Gospel Music Awards, four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, an American Music Award, a Tony Award and a Soul Train Music Award. Billboard named her the top gospel performer of the decade.

Adams also shared the news on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvkYF4AH4LS/?utm_source=ig_embed

Also confirmed for WrestleMania is Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Joan Jett, who will play Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey to the ring; Rousey uses Jett’s song, “Bad Reputation” as her entrance music. Additionally, Saturday Night Live performers and Weekend Update hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che will serve both as “special correspondents” at WrestleMania and also as participants in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

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WrestleMania 35 takes place on Sunday, April 7 at 7:00PM Eastern time and hails from MetLife Stadium. It is also available streaming via the WWE Network.