Cultural Diplomacy
Mary’s singing career parallels cultural diplomacy. She has performed for five consecutive U.S. Presidents - 43rd President George W. Bush, 45th President Barack Obama, 45th President Donald Trump, 46th President Joe Biden, 47th President Donald Trump, international royalty, and numerous world leaders. Mary has been featured at 60th Presidential Inauguration of President Trump, 58th Presidential Inauguration of President Trump, The White House, the United States Congress, 2020 and 2024 Republican National Convention, 2024 International Cricket Council/T20 World Cup Tournament, the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball League (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), 2016 Rio Olympics, Off-Broadway, XLIII Superbowl Halftime Show w/Bruce Springsteen, and in concert halls worldwide.
Scroll below to learn more about Mary’s role in cultural and sports diplomacy.
47th U.S. President Donald J. Trump
Invited by President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and the Trump Presidential Inaugural Committee, Mary performed the National Anthem for the 60th Presidential Inauguration of the 47th President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Presidential Inaugural Liberty Ball. 20,000+ attendees, Mary was honored to share the stage with the Unites States Air Force and United States Color Guard. Mary’s dress was designed custom couture by NICOBLU designers Katherine Lantuch and Peter Rizzo. Onstage performance photos by Courtney Reed.
Mary was honored to perform for President Trump during the 2024 presidential election and celebrate the President’s landslide victory as the 47th President of the United States. Nearly 10 years ago, Mary’s journey performing the National Anthem and patriotic music for President Trump started. From the 58th Presidential Inauguration Victory Celebration in 2016, the official 2020 re-election kickoff rally at the Amway Center, the 2020 Republican Convention, a debut at Mar-a-Lago for the 2020 presidential election (home of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump), countless fundraisers across America and at Mar-a-Lago, the 2024 Convention (just prior to President Trump speaking), to ending with the historic Madison Square Garden rally (the largest U.S. rally to date). Mary is very grateful to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for their kindness and friendship.
46th U.S. President Joe Biden
On December 7th, 2022, Mary was honored to be the featured entertainment for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day observance at the National World War II (WWII) Memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring America’s precious WWII veterans. Prior to her performance, Mary joined President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at The White House to honor America’s WWII veterans.
Hosted by Honor Flight Network Austin and Honor Flight Network Austin Chairman Matt Mathias.
“Having worked for a U.S. President, as a White House presidential appointee, and now having sung for four consecutive U.S. Presidents, being in the Oval Office at The White House is always a sacred, and humbling honor. The greater honor is being in the Oval Office celebrating America’s heroes with the President of the United States. December 7th was a special, historic moment. I love these precious men and women dearly. These men and women truly are America’s heroes. May we never forget their sacrifice and service for our freedoms.”
45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump
Mary is certainly honored to have performed for four consecutive U.S. Presidents and regularly for President Trump throughout his four years in office. Mary’s journey with President Trump started with performing the National Anthem for the 58th Presidential Inauguration Victory Celebration; for countless fundraisers; the official 2020 re-election kickoff rally (the largest U.S. rally to date); the 2020 Republican Convention (renomination event with President Trump andVice-President Mike Pence); and a debut at Mar-a-Lago for the 2020 presidential election (home of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump). Mary is very grateful to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for their kindness and friendship.
44th U.S. President Barack Obama
“Performing for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during their 8 years in The White House was meaningful for me, my family, and most of all for my father. My father, Reverend Michael Millben, fought alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement and the thought of an African American man being President in the United States was a dream in his time.”
“Singing for the first, African American U.S. President fulfilled the dream of my father and my ancestors. Truly humbling moments, being a part of American history.”
43th U.S. President George W. Bush
“There is no greater honor than to have both worked for and sung for a U.S. President. My origins in American politics and entertainment started through President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. As a White House presidential appointee by day, by night I was fortunate to sing for the President’s Christmas tours, holiday events, and signature events around Washington, D.C. These experiences introduced me to key relationships across the world which served as the starting foundation for my professional career in entertainment.”
Sports Diplomacy & Global Sports
Mary is no stranger to global sports. Spanning close to 15 years, Mary has been singing the Star-Spangled Banner, America’s National Anthem, unifying Americans across stadiums for the U.S. Olympics, National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), America Pro Rodeo, and professional sporting events. Now expanding to global stadiums and performing global anthems, Mary continues to encourage patriotism amongst citizens of every culture, in every zip code, of all faiths through the unifying power of sports.
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Invited by Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association President Tom Glause, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) President Tim Keener and NFR Vice-President Bo Gardner, Mary was honored to perform the National Anthem for the Wrangler National Rodeo Finals on December 7th, 2024. Her debut for the ‘Super Bowl’ of Rodeo, Mary shared the stage with her friend, South Dakota Governor, and incoming Security of Homeland Security Kristi Noem who carried the American flag by horse prior to Mary’s performance. Mary performed to a sold-out arena of 20,000+ and to millions of viewers on The Cowboy Channel.
Reno Rodeo
June 28th, 2024, Mary performed the National Anthem at the 105th Annual Reno Rodeo – marking Mary’s American Pro Rodeo debut! Televised on The Cowboy Channel and to a sold-out crowd at Reno Livestock Event Center Outdoor Arena in Reno, Nevada.
2024 International Cricket Council / T20 World Cup Tournament
June 12th, 2024, Mary performed the National Anthem for the International Cricket Council/T20 World Cup U.S. vs. India cricket match in New York. A sold-out crowd with 39,000 fans, millions of viewers across the world, and televised live on Willow TV in the United States and Canada. Mary is the first American artist to perform the US National Anthem live for an ICC/T20 World Cup game.
NFL
Mary performs the National Anthem for the Washington Commanders.
NBA
Mary performs the National Anthem for the Phoenix Suns.
MLB
Mary performs the National Anthem for the Washington Nationals.