Charlie Puth was selected as the artist responsible for performing the United States national anthem ahead of this year’s Super Bowl, a role often seen as one of the highest honors in American music. Taking the stage just moments before kickoff, the 34-year-old singer delivered what many initially described as a powerful and emotionally charged rendition, drawing attention for its apparent technical precision and polished delivery.
However, despite the passion of his performance, it did not shield him from controversy. Shortly after the anthem concluded, some viewers took to social media claiming they had noticed something that didn’t quite sit right, sparking a wave of speculation and debate online.
Super Bowl LX, held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featured a highly anticipated matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. As with many Super Bowls, the musical elements of the event proved nearly as divisive as the game itself. From pre-show performances to halftime entertainment, fans and critics alike dissected every detail.
Much of the early controversy centered on Bad Bunny being announced as the halftime show performer, a decision that sharply divided fans. While some praised the choice as modern and inclusive, others questioned whether he was the right fit for the NFL’s biggest stage. Meanwhile, Green Day, who performed during the pre-game show, were accused by some viewers of using their appearance to subtly criticize the Trump administration by performing their iconic song American Idiot, reigniting discussions about politics and entertainment intersecting at major sporting events.
Charlie Puth followed Green Day’s appearance and stepped into the spotlight to perform The Star-Spangled Banner. By most professional accounts, he executed the anthem flawlessly, hitting every note with apparent ease and maintaining strong vocal control throughout the performance.
Yet even such technical excellence became the root of suspicion. Several online commentators questioned whether the performance was too perfect, suggesting that Puth may not have been singing live at all, but instead lip-syncing to a pre-recorded track.
“Seemed like Charlie Puth was lip-syncing the national anthem,” one user wrote on X. “Anyone else have the same suspicions? It was too perfect. Not one little note was off. Dunno, maybe he was just really good?”
Others were far less forgiving. “We’ve gone too far! Lip-syncing the national anthem?” another commenter wrote. “This used to be an honor to sing it… F*** Charlie Puth. Embarrassing.”
A third person added: “Never seen a more obvious lip-syncing performance than Charlie Puth. Clearly pre-recorded.”
Another post read: “CharliePuth is lip-syncing for his LIFE.”
Despite the strong reactions, there has been no official confirmation one way or the other. Large-scale live events like the Super Bowl often involve complex audio setups, backup tracks, and strict broadcast controls, which can blur the line between live and assisted performances. As a result, it remains unclear whether Puth sang entirely live or relied on technical support.
While it’s unlikely the truth will ever be confirmed with complete certainty, the sheer volume of online speculation has been enough to keep the debate alive. Once again, the Super Bowl proved that even a seemingly flawless performance can quickly become a lightning rod for controversy in the age of social media.