Charlie Puth’s Memorable Super Bowl National Anthem Performance

On February 8, 2026, Charlie Puth showcased his remarkable vocal range by performing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The event featured the New England Patriots competing against the Seattle Seahawks. At 34, Puth is renowned for his pop hits such as See You Again and Attention. Despite describing the national anthem as one of the most beautiful yet challenging songs to perform, he brought his unique touch to the piece.

In a video posted in November, Puth explained the complexities of the Star-Spangled Banner, noting its extensive vocal range from a low D to a high A, compared to most songs that span one octave.

“It’s one of the hardest pieces of music, but also one of the most beautiful,” Puth stated.

Charlie Puth: A Musical Prodigy

Charlie Puth hails from Rumson, New Jersey. He shared in a 2022 interview that his musical journey began early, influenced by his mother, a music teacher, and his father, a builder. Puth has perfect pitch, a rare ability to identify musical notes without reference. He recalled, “At ten, I thought playing back music by ear was normal.” He also grew up near music legends like Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.

Puth’s talent was first spotted through his YouTube covers, particularly Adele’s Someone Like You, which caught Ellen DeGeneres’ attention in 2011. His debut album Nine Track Mind was released in 2016, and he has since written hits for other artists, including Justin Bieber and The Kid LAROI’s Stay and Maroon 5’s Lips on You. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he connected with fans on TikTok by sharing insights into his songwriting process.

Selection of the Super Bowl Anthem Performer

The NFL, along with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, selects the national anthem singer. Roc Nation has co-managed Super Bowl entertainment since 2019. Puth expressed his interest in performing at Super Bowl LX by sending a demo to Roc Nation co-founder Jay Brown. Rumor has it that Jay-Z and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell approved, paving the way for his performance.

Previous Super Bowl Anthem Performers

Recent Super Bowl national anthem performances include Jon Batiste in 2025 and Reba McEntire in 2024. Past performers also include icons like Luther Vandross in 1997 and Lady Gaga in 2016. Puth joins these ranks as the second New Jersey native to sing the anthem, following Whitney Houston’s iconic 1991 performance.

Reflecting on his performance, Puth stated, “I aim to be inspired by what Whitney did, though her rendition stands unparalleled.”

Anticipated Anthem Duration

The national anthem at the Super Bowl generally ranges from one to two minutes. Alicia Keys set the record for the longest rendition at 2 minutes and 36 seconds in 2013, while Neil Diamond’s was the shortest at one minute and two seconds in 1987.

As Puth stood at the keyboard for his Super Bowl performance, fans witnessed yet another exceptional artist making the anthem his own.