Brandi Carlile's Vision for 'America the Beautiful' at Super Bowl LX
On February 8, 2026, the global spotlight will shine on Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara as Super Bowl LX commences with the Seattle Seahawks battling the New England Patriots. Before the opening kickoff, an iconic moment will unfold as eleven-time Grammy Award winner Brandi Carlile takes center stage to perform "America the Beautiful" on NBC and Peacock, reaching an audience exceeding one hundred million viewers.
A Complex Platform for a Hopeful Message
For Carlile, a celebrated musician and activist who identifies as gay, this prestigious invitation represents far more than a typical performance slot. She has openly described the opportunity as "a complex situation," emphasizing that her rendition will embody "a hope, a prayer, a belief" rather than a straightforward celebration. This nuanced perspective stems from her deep personal connection to the song's history and its potential to inspire forward momentum for the nation.
Carlile explained to The Globe and Mail that listening to legendary interpretations by Ray Charles and Whitney Houston transformed her understanding of the piece. "Listening to Ray Charles and Whitney Houston sing it, it sounds like a belief about where America's going instead of a brag about where it is, or where it's been," she remarked. This forward-looking interpretation aligns perfectly with her desire to focus on collective aspiration during a period of significant national reflection.
Discovering the Song's Feminist and LGBTQ+ Roots
Delving into the origins of "America the Beautiful" profoundly shaped Carlile's approach. The lyrics originated as an 1895 poem by Katharine Lee Bates, a Wellesley College professor and feminist writer whom many scholars believe was gay. This revelation resonated deeply with Carlile. "When I learned the woman who wrote it was a lesbian, and why she wrote it, it started to feel more like a hope, a prayer, a belief than a celebration," she shared. "I can't lean into celebration right now, but I can lean into where we need to get to."
In a separate conversation with The Seattle Times, Carlile acknowledged the complicated nature of the platform, especially amidst contemporary cultural debates. "Well, it's a complex situation. This stage alone is a complex situation, if you're paying attention," she noted. With the Constitution facing tests and even halftime performer choices sparking discourse, Carlile aims to redirect attention toward the songwriter, the lesser-known verses, and communities historically overlooked by such patriotic anthems.
She expressed pride in the NFL's decision to feature a gay woman for this moment. "'America the Beautiful' is one of the finest pieces of music and lyrics ... that this country has ever seen," Carlile stated. "If we can draw as many people as possible to that original poem and the woman that wrote it, it'll be a really interesting perspective on America. I'm really excited to get to sing that song on such an important stage as a person from a marginalized community."
Life Beyond the Super Bowl: Family, Fishing, and Joni Mitchell
Away from the immense pressure of the Super Bowl, Carlile maintains a grounded and vibrant personal life. She cherishes intimate moments with music icon Joni Mitchell, describing their time together as reminiscent of joyful sleepovers rather than formal gatherings. "She's formidable, but she's also light on her feet. She has this helium balloon laugh that could peel paint," Carlile said with affection. She added that Mitchell playfully critiques modern celebrities, laughing "at the way we dance, the way we dress, and she does not care who hears it."
During a Grammys trip to Las Vegas, Mitchell's insistence on playing blackjack with a maximum bet of ten dollars forced the casino to lower the table minimum to five dollars, showcasing the down-to-earth humor that defines Carlile's circle. At home in Washington with her wife Catherine and their two daughters, family discussions often center on displaced people, refugees, and the separation of faith from state authority. Her children, she notes, prefer "pipe jig mom"—the version in casual attire rather than stage glamour—because they don't have to share that authentic side with thousands of fans.
When her touring schedule concludes, Carlile eagerly returns to fishing along the British Columbia border, equipped with copper jigs, treble hooks, and a Shimano Ugly Stik. She upholds one firm maritime superstition: "You cannot have bananas on a boat. It's terrible luck."
A Moment of Honesty on the World's Biggest Stage
As she steps onto the field at Levi's Stadium, Carlile will carry all these facets of her identity: the friend who shares laughs with Joni Mitchell, the mother discussing migration at dinner, the superstitious angler, and the gay artist striving to transform a patriotic standard into a sincere prayer. Her mission is both simple and profoundly challenging: to deliver an honest, impactful performance within one minute and forty seconds that encourages millions to hear "America the Beautiful" in a new, hopeful light as the Super Bowl officially begins.
