Charlie Puth stuns Super Bowl LX crowd with near-perfect national anthem that instantly silences all critics

Charlie Puth performed the national anthem at Super Bowl LX and the moment arrived with heavy expectations and louder doubts. At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the pop star opened the NFL’s biggest night with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” setting the emotional tone before a single snap was played.

What followed was not controversy, but surprise. Fans watching the Seattle Seahawks face the New England Patriots responded instantly, flooding social media with praise that cut across musical taste and fandom.National anthem performances often invite sharp criticism, especially on a stage this large. This time, the reaction leaned the other way. Viewers acknowledged the weight of the moment, amplified by the league’s America 250 tribute, with both teams wearing commemorative patches and a massive flag display stretching across the field.

The performance became more than a pregame ritual. It felt like a statement of intent for the night ahead.

Charlie Puth's national anthem Super Bowl LX performance wins over fans

Charlie Puth, 34, took the field just before kickoff, backed by a choir and full orchestra, and delivered a jazz-tinged arrangement that blended control with emotion. Social media responded in real time. One fan summed up the mood bluntly, writing, "Charlie Puth killed it holy s---." Another praised the style, saying, "Charlie Puth singing the national anthem like he’s in the Baptist church mixed with a little 80s RnB in there.

One of my favorite anthems I heard [for real]."

Even skeptics admitted they were impressed. The performance carried extra weight given the criticism Puth faced months earlier. In December, responding to doubts about his vocals, he wrote on X, “I’ll never claim to be as good of a singer as Whitney Houston ever was. But I assure you we’re putting a really special arrangement together- in D major.” On Sunday night, that promise translated into a confident, carefully shaped delivery.Some viewers noted the polish of the broadcast, a reminder that Super Bowl performances often balance live vocals with technical support. Still, the emotional impact landed. Reactions ranged from “Charlie Puth jazzing this whole anthem up! Nice,” to “Didn’t know what to expect, but I loved how beautifully Charlie Puth sang the national anthem.” Another post captured the surprise many felt, “Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised but I was surprised.

Charlie Puth’s national anthem was really good.”Speaking earlier at Apple Music’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show press conference, Puth explained his mindset. “The arrangement is everything for me,” he said. “I always reverse engineer how I hear my own music in my own head.” His goal was simple. “I want everybody to know that music is such an amazing thing and can change so many people’s lives.”The anthem set the stage for a night that also featured Brandi Carlile, Coco Jones, and an upcoming halftime show by Bad Bunny. But before the spectacle unfolded, Puth delivered a moment that shifted perception and earned genuine respect.