Mickey Guyton Nails Super Bowl LVI National Anthem
How did her rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" sound to you?
Country singer Mickey Guyton helped kick off one of the biggest TV events of year at last night’s (February 13) Super Bowl LVI, delivering a soaring and soulful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Standing tall in Los Angeles’ Sofi Stadium and dressed in a deep blue gown, Guyton’s rendition of the national anthem was just as poised and confident as the L.A. Rams, who would go on to win the game.
Backed by a piano and vocal choir, Guyton’s first few notes were careful, as she settled in to a spotlight brighter than anything else in her career — with many hoping she’d make a mistake, or prove she was “only there because she is black and a female.” But as Eminem sang at half time, this was Guyton’s one shot, and she did not miss her chance to blow.
Sowing soul and patriotism in a notoriously difficult song, Guyton floated effortlessly through each line, with her choir letting the emotion swell. With pitch perfect songbird vocals, she finally reached the song’s final notes and stretched them out with easy power, then pointed to the sky as fighter jets flew by in formation. She crushed the song and had the whole stadium roaring in deafening excitement. Even some of the players looked moved.
Later that night, she shared her personal feelings about the moment … along with a thank you to the team behind her.
“Look at God. None of this would be possible without this incredible group of people and community that surrounds me,” Guyton said. “Thank you for lifting me up and holding me down. Love you all. 💙”
Famous friends from Jennifer Nettles to Caylee Hammack, Runaway June and more offered praise and congratulations for Guyton .. and she apparently even got to meet a famous non-America, the U.K.’s Prince Harry. How do you think she did?
Guyton was revealed as the game’s National Anthem singer in early February, making it two years in a row that a country artist had the honor. Last year’s game featured a duet between Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan.
