Charlie Puth clapped back at a Fox News commentator who criticized the NFL for its choice to have the singer perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at this year’s Super Bowl.
After it was announced on Sunday, November 30, that Puth, 33, would open the big game with America’s National Anthem in February, Link Lauren, a political pundit, took to social media to voice his distaste for the decision.
“Man we’ve fallen from when Whitney Houston sang at the Super Bowl,” Lauren griped via X on Monday, December 1. “Charlie Puth? He’s not gonna give us vocals I’m afraid.”
Puth reposted Lauren’s critique, adding commentary of his own.
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“I’ll never claim to be as good of a singer as Whitney Houston ever was,” he wrote on the platform. “But I assure you we’re putting a really special arrangement together- in D major. It’ll be one of my best vocal performances.”
Responding to Puth, Lauren tempered his negative tone, writing, “Can’t wait. I wish you nothing but success, but just miss our big belting divas like Whitney. What an era. Make sure they know it’s D major and not b minor. Cheers Char!”
Puth’s confidence in the face of criticism is earned. The New Jersey-born singer has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Song of the Year, in 2016 for “See You Again,” his collaboration with Wiz Khalifa. His other hit songs include “Attention” and “We Don’t Talk Anymore.” He also produced and wrote “Stay” for Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi.
In addition to the Puth announcement, Roc Nation — the NFL’s music partner — also revealed that Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones will perform ahead of Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Carlile, 44, will croon “America the Beautiful” while Jones, 27, will take the mic for “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
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“Charlie, Brandi, and Coco are generational talents, and we are honored to have them — alongside our extraordinary deaf performers — on Super Bowl LX’s world stage,” Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez said Sunday in a statement. “This moment embodies the very best of culture, live performance, and our country, perfectly kicking off game day.”
Puth marked the achievement via Instagram the same day and shared a funny video of himself, in football coach mode, explaining the vocal technique required to take on the National Anthem.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this… I will be performing the National Anthem at Super Bowl LX,” he captioned the clip, in which he asks, “Did you know that one of the most beautiful pieces of music also happens to be one of the hardest to sing?”
Puth’s fans went crazy in the comments section, with one follower referencing a lyric from Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department album.
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“WE DECLARE CHARLIE PUTH SHOULD BE A BIGGER ARTIST 👏” they wrote.
Bad Bunny was named as the headlining artist for the halftime show in September. While the decision to celebrate the Puerto Rican hit-maker drew complaints from some conservative politicians and public figures, Bad Bunny’s supporters have stepped up to defend him.
“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters at an October news conference. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value, and it’s carefully thought through.”
