NFL fans rushed to social media to share their polarising reactions to Charlie Puth’s rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium, with some praising the performance whilst others branded it the ‘worst in Super Bowl history’
Super Bowl LX spectators were divided over Charlie Puth’s controversial performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, which echoed through Levi’s Stadium during an American celebration.
Shortly after supporters collected their America 250-themed rally towels and settled into their Super Bowl 2026 seats for a special “card stunt” ahead of kick-off, the four-time Grammy-nominated artist took centre stage.
The 34 year old rose to prominence as a featured artist on Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” back in 2015. Whilst some NFL supporters appreciated the rendition, others were quick to slate it. At the same time, NFL enthusiasts were keeping a close eye on CBS/Peacock commentator Cris Collinsworth amid mounting worries about his wellbeing reports the Mirror US.
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Sporting a bomber jacket combined with a black tie, Puth performed alongside a musical orchestra clad entirely in white, with only a piano positioned before him. Pyrotechnics lit up the sky as players on the touchline watched the spectacle, hands placed over their hearts.
Supporters flocked to social media to voice their opinions on the pre-kick-off performance. The musical number set the tone for the eagerly awaited Bad Bunny halftime show, timed to clash with Turning Point USA’s rival event starring Kid Rock.
One supporter on X commented, “Charlie Puth added some soul and seasoning to this national anthem,” whilst another remarked, ” Charlie Puth sounds better here than in like any music he’s ever released.”
One unimpressed viewer remarked, “The National Anthem just put me to sleep,” whilst another harsh critic declared, “Worst national anthem in Super Bowl history.”
The criticism continued to flow, with supporters claiming that Puth had turned the anthem into a pop-style rendition. The reaction stood in stark contrast to last year’s powerful Super Bowl LIX performance by New Orleans native Jon Batiste at the Caesars Superdome.
Another X user wrote: “I know Charlie Puth is like a pitch perfect guy but it sounded lip synced and idk man I just think it should always be live #SuperBowl.” Another fan wrote: “Did Charlie Puth just lip sync the national anthem?”
Puth’s selection as the anthem singer was confirmed in December after it emerged that he had privately “auditioned” for the role by submitting a demo of his performance to Jay-Z and Roc Nation earlier on.
Roc Nation serves as the NFL’s official live entertainment strategy partner and has overseen the halftime show production since Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s 2020 performance, which also featured this year’s halftime act, Bad Bunny.
The moment represented a significant milestone for Puth, who has been establishing a reputation for high-profile live performances before large audiences. Public records suggest that this marked his debut Star Spangled Banner performance at a major American sporting occasion.
Beyond his personal touring endeavours, Puth has delivered just a 30-minute virtual concert for Global Citizen through Instagram Live. Whilst Super Bowl LX drew an anticipated crowd of 90,000, Puth’s largest headline show to date was his 2018 Honda Civic Tour gig, where he took to the stage before 22,000 fans at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Silicon Valley.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
