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Fergie’s National Anthem flub took Josh Duhamel by surprise

Josh Duhamel has seen soon-to-be ex-wife Fergie crush countless performances, which is why February’s National Anthem disaster caught the “Love, Simon” star by surprise.

“I was on my way back home from the airport when I heard,” Duhamel, 45, recalled Thursday on “The Dan Patrick Show.” “So, I saw it when I got home. I mean, I’ve seen this girl sing it several times — Daytona 500, [New England] Patriots, [Miami] Dolphins home opener — she crushes the song, so I was surprised to see she tried what she did.”

The 42-year-old songstress was mocked mercilessly online following her bizarre rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” during last month’s NBA All-Star game. While Fergie stated she “tried her best,” Duhamel said it was painful to watch as the backlash poured in.

“It’s not easy. Someone you care about getting hammered like that is not easy,” Duhamel shared. “And I wanted to defend her, too. I wanted to pull the tapes out from Daytona 500, like, ‘Look at this! She’s really good at singing this song!’ But I was like, ‘I gotta just stay out of this.’ It’s that protective thing in you, but she’s doing great.”

Duhamel was spotted delivering flowers to Fergie following the debacle.

“I didn’t know what else to do. I was like, ‘I just want you to know, I got your back, girl. I’m with you, I’m on your side,'” he said.

The “Transformers” star previously defended Fergie during a February appearance on “Ellen.”

“I think that she would probably admit that it was not her best work,” he said. “But the girl’s crazy talented, she really is. And she’s an amazing woman, an amazing human being.”

Duhamel and Fergie split last September after eight years together. They share a 4-year-old son, Axl.