Charlie Puth Super Bowl National Anthem Pitch + Whitney Inspiration

Okay okay Charlie Puth is very talented and also very hunching worthy on any given day. As he gears up for the upcoming Superbowl gig, he’s revealed that he pitched himself to sing the national anthem at the annual event.

Context: Singing The Star-Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl is one of the most iconic pregame moments in entertainment — and a role that often invites not just cheers, but, let’s be honest, internet hot takes.

He put himself out there and boom he got the gig. Plus he’s also divulging how he plans to arrange the music and his influence is quite questionable and eyebrow raising.

“I’m going to be inspired by what Whitney did, but I can’t ever touch what Whitney did,” he says, giving a respectful nod to one of the most legendary anthem performances in Super Bowl history.

Cultural note: Whitney Houston’s rendition of the anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991 is widely regarded as one of the greatest versions ever, and even charted on the Billboard Hot 100 — a rare feat for a national anthem performance.

Puth’s announcement has sparked a mix of reactions online — from excitement to straight-up scrutiny — which is basically the internet’s job at this point. In response to some critics who compared him to Houston or questioned his vocal credentials, he’s emphasized that he’s not trying to replicate her legendary take, but rather bring something heartfelt and authentically his.

Quick anthem fact: The national anthem is notoriously tough to sing because it spans an extremely wide vocal range, and past performers like Houston, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé have all brought very different interpretations to the moment.

All we can say here at INYIM Media is that we shall wait and see cometh February 8th — because whether you’re in it for the music, the spectacle, or the chaos that follows any Super Bowl decision, this moment is appointment viewing in pop culture.

Dig it below!