Charlie Puth captivated audiences with his rendition of the national anthem during Super Bowl LX, held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on March 10, 2026. The four-time Grammy nominee showcased his vocal talent while wearing a brown leather jacket, a tie, and blue jeans. Joining him was Fred Beam, a deaf artist who performed the anthem in American Sign Language (ASL), enhancing the inclusivity of the event.
Puth’s performance followed a series of notable national anthem renditions at previous Super Bowls. In 2025, Jon Batiste sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and past performers include Reba McEntire in 2024 and Chris Stapleton in 2023. Puth expressed his desire to inspire through music during a press conference leading up to the event. “Music is such an amazing thing and can change so many people’s lives,” he remarked.
At the press conference, hosted by Zane Lowe, Puth elaborated on his preparation for the performance. He emphasized the importance of arrangement, stating, “I always reverse engineer how I hear my own music in my head.” He admitted to feeling “nerves” before taking the stage, acknowledging the complexity of the anthem. “This is a very musically difficult song to sing. It’s important not to over sing it,” he said.
Despite some backlash regarding his selection as a performer, Puth remained confident. Critics pointed to previous iconic performances, particularly Whitney Houston‘s legendary rendition in 1991. Puth responded to criticism on social media, stating, “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.”
Reflecting on Houston’s impact, he noted, “That’s the best one ever done… I just want to do my own thing with the hardest piece of music ever written.” Puth emphasized his ambition to establish himself as a stand-alone vocalist, stating, “I feel like people don’t really think of me as, like, a stand-alone vocalist at times.”
Puth revealed that he actively sought the opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl, stating, “I actually have always wanted to do this, and I recorded a little demo… I’ve been told Jay-Z loved it.” His passion for the anthem was clear as he described it as “the best song” and “musically, it’s so special.”
In addition to Puth’s performance, the Super Bowl featured other notable acts. The New England Patriots faced off against the Seattle Seahawks, with Green Day headlining the pregame ceremony. Brandi Carlile performed “America the Beautiful,” Coco Jones sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Bad Bunny headlined the halftime show, adding to the event’s star-studded lineup.
Puth’s performance at the Super Bowl not only showcased his vocal abilities but also highlighted his deep appreciation for music’s impact. As he took the stage, viewers were reminded of the power of the national anthem, performed with both passion and respect.
