Charlie Puth’s selection to perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LX has sparked intense discussion across social media and the music world. The NFL confirmed on November 30 that the Grammy-nominated singer will take center stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. The league also announced that Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones will join the pre-game entertainment lineup.
Performing the national anthem at the Super Bowl is widely regarded as one of the most pressure-filled moments in live entertainment. Every singer is instantly compared to decades of iconic performances, and public expectations are notoriously high. With Puth tapped for the role, he immediately became the focal point of a debate fueled by nostalgia, musical standards, and the unpredictability of online reaction culture.
Charlie Puth Fires Back Gracefully At Critic Questioning His Vocals
Following the announcement, critic Link Lauren weighed in on X, drawing comparisons to past Super Bowl performances. On December 1, he wrote, “Man, we’ve fallen from when Whitney Houston sang at the Super Bowl. Charlie Puth? He’s not gonna give us vocals, I’m afraid.”
I’ll never claim to be as good of a singer as Whitney Houston ever was. But I assure you we’re putting a really special arrangement together- in D major. It’ll be one of my best vocal performances. https://t.co/N4POfitxhb
— Charlie Puth (@charlieputh) December 1, 2025
Charlie Puth responded to the criticism directly, choosing a measured and respectful tone instead of firing back. He wrote, “I’ll never claim to be as good of a singer as Whitney Houston ever was. But I assure you we’re putting a really special arrangement together—in D major. It’ll be one of my best vocal performances.”
The NFL has confirmed that Super Bowl LX’s pre-game ceremony will feature three major musical moments: Charlie Puth performing The Star-Spangled Banner, Brandi Carlile delivering America the Beautiful, and Coco Jones singing Lift Every Voice and Sing.
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The league also confirmed that American Sign Language interpreters will accompany all three pregame performances. Fred Beam will interpret both the national anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing, while Julian Ortiz will interpret America the Beautiful. The halftime show will break new ground as well, featuring a multilingual signing program that includes Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by Celimar Rivera Cosme.
The pregame festivities are being produced by Roc Nation alongside Jesse Collins Entertainment and DPS. Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez praised the lineup as a collection of “generational talents,” emphasizing that this year’s show underscores the league’s ongoing commitment to cultural representation, inclusion, and elevating diverse voices on its biggest stage.
Charlie Puth’s Super Bowl Announcement Sparks Confusion Over Bad Bunny’s Halftime Status
Rumors swirled online soon after Charlie Puth announced his involvement in the Super Bowl LX program, with some fans jumping to the conclusion that Bad Bunny had been removed as the halftime headliner. The mix-up escalated quickly because Puth’s post didn’t specify that his appearance was limited strictly to the pregame portion of the event.
The NFL has since put the speculation to rest, confirming that Bad Bunny remains the official halftime performer for Super Bowl LX and has not been replaced. Charlie Puth, Coco Jones, and Brandi Carlile are participating solely in the pre-game ceremony.
Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez addressed the confusion directly in a press release, reiterating the scope of the announcement and praising the artists involved. “Charlie, Brandi, and Coco are generational talents, and we are honored to have them alongside our extraordinary deaf performers on Super Bowl LX’s world stage. This moment embodies the very best of culture, live performance, and our country, perfectly kicking off game day.”
Jon Barker, the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Global Event Production, also commented on the lineup, emphasizing its creative intent rather than any controversy. He said, “These artists bring a distinct voice to the moment, helping set the tone for a day that will captivate fans around the world.”
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Charlie Puth addressed the rumors head-on once they began circulating, confirming his role in the event with a post on X. “I can’t believe I’m saying this… I will be performing the National Anthem at Super Bowl LX.” His announcement clarified that his participation is strictly part of the pregame ceremony.
Despite the online speculation, nothing has changed regarding the halftime show lineup. Bad Bunny remains the official Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show headliner.
