Brandi Carlile delivered a heartfelt acoustic performance of “America the Beautiful” during the Super Bowl 2026 pregame show, joined by deaf artist Julian Ortiz, who interpreted the song in American Sign Language. The 11-time Grammy winner, fresh off the October release of her ninth studio album “Returning To Myself,” is preparing to launch her largest tour yet—the 2026 Human Tour—starting February 10 with special guests The Head and The Heart.
At a pre-Super Bowl press conference, Carlile reflected on embracing major career moments at age 44: “You calm down and centralize yourself. Be there. And actually experience these milestones,” she shared, emphasizing her intention to bring authenticity to the national stage while maintaining humility in her rendition.
The pregame celebration also featured Green Day, who performed a career-spanning set to honor six decades of Super Bowl history. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong expressed excitement about the hometown showcase near San Francisco, where the band first rose to fame with their 1994 breakout album “Dookie.”
The event’s lineup included Charlie Puth performing the national anthem and Coco Jones singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (often called the Black national anthem), both accompanied by ASL interpreter Fred Beam. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny generated buzz as the 2026 halftime show headliner, addressing controversy surrounding his selection during a “Saturday Night Live” appearance: “It’s more than a win for myself—it’s a win for all of us,” he stated, referencing Latino cultural representation despite petitions calling for country artist George Strait to replace him.
Following his cameo in Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 halftime show, Bad Bunny’s forthcoming 2026 performance continues his record-breaking career as the world’s most-streamed artist.