R&B powerhouse Coco Jones has officially been tapped to kick off Super Bowl 2026 with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the pregame show, and the internet is absolutely here for this!
Coco been on a glow-up marathon these last few years. The Grammy-nominated star is sitting on eight nominations, including a 2026 Best R&B Album nod for her debut Why Not More? And let’s not forget she snatched the 2024 Grammy for Best R&B Performance for her now-platinum classic “ICU” — All reasons why this makes perfect sense she is a perfect pick for the big gig.
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And the pregame show isn’t just vocals. It’s a whole cultural moment. The NFL is spotlighting powerful ASL performances, bringing accessibility and artistry together. Deaf music icon Fred Beam will perform the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” while Julian Ortiz signs “America the Beautiful.” That’s the kind of representation you don’t clap for politely; you stand up.
Speaking of the lineup, Grammy-nominated hitmaker Charlie Puth is on National Anthem duty, while Brandi Carlile is stepping up for “America the Beautiful.”
Roc Nation’s CEO Desiree Perez summed it all up perfectly:
“Charlie, Brandi, and Coco are generational talents, and we are honored to have them – alongside our extraordinary deaf performers – on Super Bowl LX’s world stage. This moment embodies the very best of culture, live performance, and our country, perfectly kicking off game day.”
And of course, all ASL performances for the pregame and the Apple Music Halftime Show are happening through a collaboration with LOVE SIGN’s Alexis Kashar and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.
As for the halftime? Chile, you already know. Bad Bunny is headlining, with DPS, Roc Nation, and Jesse Collins running production. That’s about to be a stadium-shaking situation waiting to happen.
Coco opening the whole thing is the flex she deserves. Super Bowl 2026 might actually give us a pregame worth watching!
