The pressure's on! Charlie Puth is gearing up for his Super Bowl performance in 2026, but not everyone is thrilled. After facing some criticism about his vocal abilities, Puth has fired back with a promise: he'll deliver one of his best vocal performances ever. But, will he deliver? Let's dive in.
Known for chart-topping hits like "See You Again" and "Attention," Puth is slated to sing the national anthem at Super Bowl LX, which will be held on February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. He'll be sharing the pre-game spotlight with Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones.
But here's where it gets controversial... As is often the case with Super Bowl performers, Puth's selection sparked some online grumbling. One of the critics was Link Lauren, a conservative social media personality who previously worked on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign. Lauren took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her doubts, comparing Puth unfavorably to iconic past performers like Whitney Houston. "Man we’ve fallen from when Whitney Houston sang at the Super Bowl," Lauren wrote. "Charlie Puth? He’s not gonna give us vocals I’m afraid.”
Not one to back down, Puth responded swiftly, acknowledging the legendary status of Houston but confidently asserting that he's preparing a special arrangement in D major. He humorously referenced his "Professor Puth" TikTok series, where he breaks down music theory, hinting at the meticulous preparation he's putting into his performance.
The NFL, however, is fully behind Puth. In their press release announcing his performance, they lauded him as "one of music’s most consistent hitmakers and sought-after collaborators across multiple genres."
2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for Puth, who is also expecting his first child with his wife, Brooke Sansone. Adding to the excitement, the singer-songwriter, who even got a shout-out from Taylor Swift on her recent album "The Tortured Poets' Department," is set to release his fourth studio album, "Whatever’s Clever!" in March.
So, what do you think? Do you agree with the critics, or are you excited to see what Charlie Puth brings to the Super Bowl stage? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
