A video of singer Lauren Daigle’s performance of a classic song at the Super Bowl sparked mixed reactions—some praised it, while others debated its delivery.
Lauren Daigle took the stage at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to deliver a soulful rendition of “America the Beautiful” before the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles, captivating the crowd. However, online reactions were far from unanimous.
The contemporary Christian music singer wore a striking off-the-shoulder plaid dress with voluminous details, accessorized with elegant jewelry and bold red heels. Her expressive performance highlighted her passion and artistry.
Joining the 33-year-old singer on the field, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, along with a guitarist, infused the performance with a lively New Orleans-inspired sound while positioned on circular platforms.
The vibrant field provided a stunning backdrop, with bright white yard lines, the bold logo at midfield featuring vivid red, yellow, and green accents, and the iconic NFL shield nearby. The striking design stood out against the clean, green turf, enhancing the visual impact of the performance.
Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana | Source: Getty Images
During Daigle’s performance, several players from the Chiefs and Eagles stood respectfully, adding to the moment’s significance.
Patrick Mahomes listens to Lauren Daigle’s “America the Beautiful” performance at Super Bowl LIX | Source: YouTube/NFLonFOX
Among them, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes closed his eyes in quiet reflection, while Eagles running back Miles Sanders stood nearby with a solemn expression.
In addition to Mahomes and Sanders, a sign language interpreter passionately signed during the performance, enhancing the inclusivity and accessibility of the event.
A sign language specialist interprets Lauren Daigle’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LIX | Source: YouTube/NFLonFOX
The performance, however, ignited a wave of mixed reactions online. One viewer criticized it harshly, “The worst rendition I’ve ever heard,” while another gushed, “Loved it! Both are so talented, and I love the New Orleans spin.”
Some expressed strong disapproval, “It sucked ruined the song,” while others praised Daigle’s stage presence, “This was, by any measure, outstanding.”
More netizens reacted to Daigle’s Super Bowl performance. One viewer called it a “horrible performance” while another felt the jazz influence didn’t suit the song. Another expressed discomfort, “Hurting my ears ngl 🙃.”
Some found it disappointing, with one commenter noting it “sounded much better” as it progressed
However, others enjoyed the singer’s rendition, with one fan calling it “Top Notch [sic]” and another praising the jazz twist.
Ahead of her performance, Daigle shared her excitement about the opportunity in a recent interview with Billboard. “It is an incredible honor, I’m overzealous, and I love getting to do it with friends. The best thing,” she said.
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She recalled Andrews personally inviting her to be part of the Super Bowl, emphasizing the significance of the opportunity and calling it one of the biggest stages for a singer.
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Lauren Daigle on February 9, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Lauren Daigle on February 9, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
As a Louisiana native, Daigle felt a deep connection to the performance. She grew up in Lafayette and later moved to New Orleans, drawn by the city’s rich musical culture.
She recalled how she would stand on street corners, captivated by local musicians performing on the streets. “There’s so much soul, there’s so much power of jazz here, it’s just incredible,” she said.
Bringing that musical influence into her performance, Daigle and Shorty worked closely to create a unique arrangement of “America the Beautiful.”
In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight on February 6, Daigle detailed their creative process. The two artists spent about two hours discussing how to rework the song before constructing the final version.
“Well, they came up with a beautiful arrangement. So you know, you have the Zydeco that exists in Lafayette. You’ve got incredible brass bands that exist in the birthplace of jazz, which is New Orleans, and there’s a rhythm that kind of marries those two spaces, and it’ll get you stepping, you know, it’ll get you moving,” she explained.
She credited Shorty for ensuring the performance honored their Louisiana roots. “Troy was like ‘I really wanted to bring the representation of the state into this performance and the representation of our heritage, and where we came from…How do we do that? And he was very mindful to pay homage to the places that we came from,” Daigle added.
Wanting to share the experience with loved ones, she brought friends and family to the game to support her. When asked whether she supported the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles, she made her loyalty clear, “I got the [New Orleans] Saints. That’s what I got, yay!”
