Brandi Carlile to Perform 'America the Beautiful' at Super Bowl LX

Singer says she'll keep her 'moral code' in mind during patriotic song performance

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Brandi Carlile, an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, will perform 'America the Beautiful' at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. Carlile says she will keep her 'own moral imperative' in mind during the performance, which is important to her as a member of the LGBTQ community.

Why it matters

Carlile's performance of the patriotic song at the high-profile Super Bowl event is notable given her past criticism of the Trump administration. Her comments suggest she may use the platform to make a statement about social and political issues.

The details

Carlile will join other artists like Bad Bunny and Green Day, who have also been critical of the Trump administration and ICE, in performing at Super Bowl LX. Carlile told Variety that while the song may be heard differently in 'calmer times,' she believes that in a time of 'trouble and division,' the performance could be 'moving for people who are really tuned into it.' She added that she won't 'waste her time in the pit fights' or get into arguments about why she's singing the patriotic song, as her 'activism isn't gonna be in the comments section.'

  • Super Bowl LX is set to start at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Brandi Carlile

A singer-songwriter who has been outspoken against former President Donald Trump and his administration's policies.

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican rapper and singer who has also been critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its operations against illegal immigrants.

Green Day

A punk rock band that has been critical of the Trump administration and ICE.

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What they’re saying

“And I have my own moral code, my own moral imperative, that I have to answer to at the end of the day, as a wife and mother, and I believe in my ability and responsibility to do this, and that's why I'm here.”

— Brandi Carlile (Variety)

“And the throughline 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. You do it.”

— Brandi Carlile (Variety)

What’s next

Carlile's performance of 'America the Beautiful' at Super Bowl LX will be closely watched to see if she uses the platform to make any political or social statements.

The takeaway

Brandi Carlile's decision to perform 'America the Beautiful' at the high-profile Super Bowl event, despite her past criticism of the Trump administration, highlights the complex relationship between entertainment, politics, and social activism in modern America.