That Wasn't Julienne Irwin Singing the National Anthem

was looking forward to singing the national anthem Sunday at the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. But just hours before she was set to perform, she said got a call from race officials telling her not to come down.

Around 10 a.m. Sunday when Irwin was set to leave Bel Air for the city, and less than five hours before the scheduled performance, Grand Prix representatives called to say Irwin was replaced by Laura Bryna.

“I had just gotten out of the shower getting ready and they left me a voice mail saying, ‘Don’t leave yet because there’s been a mishap,’” Irwin said. “Then about a half-hour later they called and let me know that I was not going to be singing.”

Still, many of her friends assumed it was her singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" on national television, and Irwin was embarrassed.

“Everyone thought it was me. … It was disappointing because I really did find out at the very last minute that I wasn’t doing it,” Irwin said Monday. “[Bryna] was a totally different kind of singer than I am and many people mistook her for me, and I don’t want that to be the case.”

Irwin said Friday race officials asked her if she wanted to switch to a Saturday performance, but declined due to scheduling conflicts.

Roger Sarchet, a representative for Bryna, said he had no idea there might have been a mix-up.

"I’m not sure what you’re talking about," Sarchet said Tuesday. "I have no idea who [Irwin] is."

Sarchet said he confirmed Bryna's performance Aug. 26, nine days before the event. Bryna is a representative for the National Guard Youth Foundation, a partner for the Grand Prix.

Multiple messages left with Baltimore Grand Prix officials Monday and Tuesday were not returned.

"I’m sorry for the girl that got bumped but we didn’t know anything about that at all," Sarchet said. "I know that’s no fun."

The 18-year-old Irwin said she understands the national anthem wasn’t the event’s focal point, but that she was surprised at how “disorganized” things became at the last minute. She flew Monday night back to Nashville, where she attends Belmont University.

The Bel Air native of America's Got Talent fame said she does not have any upcoming performances scheduled in the Baltimore area, and that she is focusing on classes.

“I love it so far. I really do. I thought it was going to be a harder transition than it is,” said Irwin, whose favorite class is Mass Media and Society. “Maybe it hasn’t hit me yet, maybe I haven’t been there long enough, but I really have been enjoying it so far.”