Brandi Carlile Delivers Memorable Super Bowl Opening Performance
Brandi Carlile proved to be a resounding hit with viewers tuning into Super Bowl LX from home, following her performance that helped kick off the prestigious event on Sunday. The 44-year-old singer-songwriter took to the field at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, to perform America The Beautiful, infusing the classic anthem with a distinct folksy country feel through her acoustic guitar accompaniment.
A Chic and Soulful Rendition
Carlile, looking chic in a dark Thom Browne suit featuring white stripes on her right sleeve and pant leg, added considerable country twang to her rendition. The performance was intentionally minimalist, yet she was accompanied by a fiddle player to heighten the authentic country style of the arrangement. Her soulful voice and measured delivery appeared to win over numerous new fans on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
One viewer expressed surprise, writing, 'Why don't I know any Brandi Carlile songs?!' after discovering her talent via the Super Bowl broadcast. Another fan praised, 'That was a beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful. Well done Brandi Carlile.' Even a viewer critical of the opening ceremonies conceded, 'Brandi Carlile is so good she could almost make me patriotic. Love her so much.'
Halftime Show Anticipation and Controversy
Carlile's performance occurred amidst considerable buzz surrounding the halftime show headliner, Bad Bunny. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican music superstar, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was set to perform just a week after earning three Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year. The announcement of his selection in late September instantly placed him at the center of a political firestorm.
The choice drew sharp rebukes from high-ranking government officials who questioned the artist's past criticisms of U.S. immigration policies. Bad Bunny had previously cited ICE agents as a reason for excluding mainland U.S. dates from his tour. Following his Grammy wins, he stirred further controversy by stating, 'Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say, ICE Out.'
Former President Donald Trump was among those criticizing the NFL's decision, later revealing he would not attend the game due to Bad Bunny's selection. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the situation during his annual Super Bowl week press conference, describing Bad Bunny as 'one of the greatest artists in the world' and expressing confidence that the performer understood the unifying platform of the event.
Other Notable Performances and Personal Stakes
The pre-game ceremonies also featured Charlie Puth, the 34-year-old New Jersey native who gained fame through viral YouTube song covers, performing the national anthem. He was followed by Carlile's performance of America The Beautiful and Coco Jones performing the Black national anthem, Lift Every Voice And Sing.
Adding a layer of celebrity intrigue to the game, rapper Cardi B had a vested interest as her boyfriend, Stefon Diggs, is the star wide receiver for the New England Patriots. The couple, who welcomed a son in November 2025, were among the many watching the highly anticipated rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. This game was a replay of Super Bowl XLIX from February 2015, where Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 28-24 victory following a critical interception by Russell Wilson in the endzone with only 20 seconds remaining.
Historical Context of Halftime Show Moments
The Super Bowl halftime show has a rich history of memorable and sometimes shocking moments that have captivated global audiences:
- Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson (2004): The infamous 'wardrobe malfunction' during their performance led to over half a million complaints and significantly impacted Jackson's career.
- Kendrick Lamar (2025): His performance referenced his feud with Drake, including controversial lyrics, and became a viral meme.
- Rihanna (2023): The singer surprised fans by revealing her second pregnancy during her highly anticipated comeback performance.
- Katy Perry (2015): The 'Left Shark' dancer, who performed out of sync, became an unexpected viral sensation.
- Eminem (2022): He took a knee in a gesture of protest against racism, despite NFL rules discouraging such actions during the anthem.
- Michael Jackson (1993): His iconic performance, featuring a dramatic entrance and nearly two minutes of silent standing, is credited with elevating the halftime show's prestige.
- Prince (2007): He performed Purple Rain in actual pouring rain, embracing the challenging conditions.
- M.I.A. (2012): As a guest during Madonna's set, she flipped her middle finger on live broadcast, leading to apologies from the NFL and NBC.
- 50 Cent (2022): He made a surprise appearance by hanging upside down from the rafters, reminiscent of his music video for In Da Club.
As Super Bowl LX unfolded, Brandi Carlile's opening performance set a poignant tone, while the anticipation for Bad Bunny's halftime show underscored the event's continued cultural and political significance, blending sports, music, and societal commentary on one of the world's largest stages.
