Longtime Toronto Maple Leafs anthem singer says it's time 'to step away'
The Leafs’ official anthem singer has revealed she is stepping away from the gig after six years.
On Friday, Martina Ortiz Luis took to social media to announce her “pained” decision that she won’t be returning to sing this season.
“I started singing for the Leafs when I had just turned 15 years old. I still remember getting up at 7 a.m. to stand in line with hundreds of other hopefuls outside of, what was still called, the ACC,” Ortiz Luis wrote. The Air Canada Centre, well-known as the ACC, was renamed Scotiabank Arena in 2018.
“Stepping out onto the ice, seeing the sea of lights from 20,000 people wearing LED wristbands, barely able to hear myself over the ecstatic singing & cheering from hockey fans that I was not yet used to, the excitement surrounding the NHL’s centennial season,” Ortiz Luis continued.
The singer-songwriter and actor shared that the whole experience was “so surreal”, and expressed how “incredibly lucky” she felt to be part of the Leaf's franchise for this many years.
“But it’s time for me to step away and grow as an artist,” Ortiz Luis wrote. “In the last few months (& months to come), I’ve had some amazing opportunities to travel & work on projects I’m truly passionate about that I’m itching to share with you…”
The 21-year-old performer has appeared in various TV shows, including a recurring role as Rachel Valdez in Wynonna Earp.
“I’m forever grateful to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, especially to the remarkable people who, six years ago, decided to take a chance on a little, belting, brace-faced kid and took care of me with the most kindness & support,” Ortiz Luis wrote.
The singer ended off by thanking the Leafs fans, and wishing the team good luck in the upcoming season.
“You know I’ll be cheering #LeafsForever.”
The Toronto team is set to kick off its regular season on Oct. 12 with their first game against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.