Charlie Puth has found himself at the centre of a rather heated debate following his rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl LX on Sunday evening.
The four-time Grammy nominee took to the stage alongside his electric piano at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Mr Puth began softly before building intensity and seemingly nailing the challenging high notes of the song perfectly.
A choir joined him as the performance reached its peak, coinciding with four Air Force jets passing overhead.
Charlie Puth performed the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl
|
GETTY
Critics had questioned Mr Puth’s appointment to sing the anthem before the performance, but several applauded his rendition soon after he took to the microphone.
However, among the feedback were plenty of others who claimed they spotted clues that suggested Mr Puth may have been “lip-syncing” a “pre-recorded” rendition of the national anthem.
Several felt that the fact that the rendition went without a hitch or single flat note was proof alone that Mr Puth wasn’t singing live.
“Never seen a more obvious lip-syncing performance than Charlie Puth. Clearly pre-recorded,” one X user suggested, while a second echoed: “Was Charlie Puth lip syncing? Lots of auto-tune and the live sound was almost too perfect #SuperBowlLX.”
.@charlieputh sings a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem ahead of Super Bowl LX 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mB0T6e5D9d
— NFL (@NFL) February 8, 2026
Elsewhere, a third concurred: “Is it just me, or does it almost seem like Charlie Puth was lip syncing? Not that I’d blame him in an environment like that. He’s a phenomenal singer, but it just seemed TOO perfect to actually be live.”
“Charlie Puth was lip syncing…that don’t bother yall????” a fourth questioned, before a fifth similarly posed: “Seemed like Charlie Puth was lip syncing the national anthem. Anyone else have the same suspicions? It was too perfect. Not one little note was off. #SuperBowl.”
A sixth wasn’t happy: “We’ve gone too far! Lip syncing the national anthem? This used to be an honor to sing it… F*** Charlie Puth. Embarrassing.”
Meanwhile, another asked: “So we’re just ignoring the national anthem was lip synced at the biggest sporting event in America? Ok then I guess. #SuperBowl #SuperBowlLX.” (sic)
Charlie Puth has been accused of ‘lip-syncing’ by some Super Bowl viewers
|
GETTY
While an eighth was seemingly in disbelief: “This national anthem is being lip-synced. Wow. #SuperBowlLX.”
However, there was still plenty of support for the singer from those who dismissed the suggestion Mr Puth wasn’t singing live in the stadium.
“Charlie Puth absolutely bodied the national anthem #SBLX,” one fan praised, while a second similarly complimented: “Charlie Puth did pretty well. Nice anthem rendition! #SuperBowlLX.”
The 34-year-old singer-songwriter, dressed in a brown leather bomber jacket over a white shirt and tie paired with blue jeans, stood on a white platform positioned on the field for the performance.
Charlie Puth’s Super Bowl LX performance sparked debate
|
X
Deaf artist Fred Beam accompanied Mr Puth, delivering the anthem simultaneously in American Sign Language.
Mr Puth had previously defended his appointment in the coveted national anthem slot, particularly after he drew comparisons with fellow New Jersey native, Whitney Houston. “I’ll never claim to be as good a singer as Whitney Houston ever was,” he said in response to criticism.
“But I assure you we’re putting a really special arrangement together—in D major. It’ll be one of my best vocal performances,” he said.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Mr Puth acknowledged Ms Houston’s legendary 1991 rendition, noting he would be only the second person from New Jersey to perform the anthem at the Super Bowl.
Charlie Puth performed moments before kick-off
|
GETTY
“I’m going to be inspired by what Whitney did, but I can’t ever touch what she did. That’s the best one ever done — that and the Chris Stapleton one,” Mr Puth told Rolling Stone.
“That was raw. Made grown men cry. I just want to do my own thing with the hardest piece of music ever written. And I just wanna show people that I can do it.”
