Charlie Puth has addressed the backlash following the announcement that he will perform the U.S. national anthem at Super Bowl LX — scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The turbulence began after a political commentator compared Puth unfavorably to Whitney Houston — whose iconic 1991 Super Bowl anthem performance remains a high bar for many. Puth responded publicly: “I’ll never claim to be as good of a singer as Whitney Houston ever was,” he wrote. “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 announced on November 30 that Puth will open the 2026 pregame show by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Alongside him, Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Each performance will be accompanied by sign-language interpretation, marking a commitment to inclusivity.
Fans — and many within the NFL community — have voiced support for Puth’s selection amid the controversy surrounding the halftime headliner lineup, seeing his involvement as a way to balance the entertainment slate.
Charlie Puth’s anthem performance will come just months ahead of the release of his fourth studio album, Whatever’s Clever!, due out in March 2026 — adding even more spotlight to what he’s described as a “special arrangement” for the Super Bowl stage.
