Charlie Puth’s announcement to perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LX has stirred unexpected criticism. Political commentator Link Lauren posted on social media, “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.” The comment quickly went viral, sparking reactions from supporters and critics alike.
Puth replied with humility, stating, “I’ll never claim to be as good of a singer as Whitney Houston ever was. But we’re putting together a special arrangement in D major, which will be one of my best performances.” Lauren later softened his comment, adding, “Can’t wait! Wishing you success, but I do miss our big belting divas like Whitney. Remember, it’s D major!”
The NFL confirmed on 30 November that Puth will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” on 8 February 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The pregame lineup will also feature Brandi Carlile performing “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones delivering “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” each accompanied by dedicated ASL interpreters.
Puth’s performance will take place just a month before the release of his fourth studio album, Whatever’s Clever!, scheduled for 6 March 2026. The lead single “Changes,” released in October, has already offered fans an initial glimpse of the new record.
The timing makes this a significant moment in Puth’s career. Fans are eagerly anticipating both the performance and the album release, while Puth demonstrates that talent paired with humility can transform criticism into positive momentum.
AJ