At the Super Bowl LX held in San Francisco, President Donald Trump's America witnessed a moment of cultural significance as Grammy-winning artist Brandi Carlile delivered a stirring performance of "America the Beautiful." The event, which took place on a Sunday prior to the kickoff, was an opportunity the singer described as an honor she could not refuse.
In an intimate discussion with Variety, Carlile elaborated on her motivations for accepting the invitation, highlighting the Super Bowl's status as a paramount platform in American culture. The singer's participation was a profound moment of representation for marginalized communities. "The through line to being queer and being a representative of a marginalized community, and being put on the largest stage in America to acknowledge the fraught and tender hope that this country is based on, it’s something you don’t say no to," Carlile explained.
The rendition featured Carlile alongside SistaStrings and was marked by intentional artistic decisions. Carlile arranged the patriotic standard at the top of her vocal range to ensure it captivated the audience, rather than fading into the background. The singer framed "America the Beautiful" as an aspirational anthem that acknowledges America's imperfections while expressing hope for its future. "Just this fragile hope, love and belief in where it could be, and acknowledging where it’s been, and acknowledging that we’re not there yet," she commented on the song's message.
Carlile's connection to the song's composer, Katharine Lee Bates – a poet and social activist who many believe was gay – holds personal significance for her as a queer performer. Despite the historical barriers faced by women like Bates, particularly those who were gay, Bates penned the song with a loving belief in America's capacity for progress, a sentiment Carlile resonates with deeply.
The Super Bowl's entertainment lineup, which included diverse performers such as Bad Bunny, Coco Jones, and Charlie Puth, sparked political discussions and media commentary about its variety. Carlile addressed concerns about the selection of performers, asserting that the lineup was a reflection of America's diverse fabric. "It looks exactly like America,” she stated. “It looks like the players on the field, and it looks like the people that are watching the sport."
While Carlile's performance and subsequent comments have attracted criticism from some political quarters, she expressed no interest in engaging with detractors on social media. "My activism isn’t gonna be in the comments section," she affirmed.
The NFL celebrated Carlile's performance with a tweet, showcasing a clip of her rendition and inviting viewers to witness her interpretation of the American classic.
