Tony Winner Leslie Odom, Jr. Will Perform ‘America The Beautiful’ At The Super Bowl
Singer-actor Leslie Odom, Jr. is expected to add a touch of Broadway to the Super Bowl LII Experience in a few weeks.
A Patriotic Tribute
Odom, Jr. is scheduled to perform "America the Beautiful." Since the 2010s, the National Football League has added the iconic song to its pregame festivities.
Before the song became an institution at the National Football League's championship game in 2009, the track was performed three times. The late, great music legend Ray Charles made one of his final public performances at Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 28, 2001. One year later, Mary J. Blige and Marc Anthony sang the song at Super Bowl XXVI backed by the Boston Pops. Three years later, the Super Bowl honored Charles' musical legacy as Alicia Keys sang "America the Beautiful" at the 2005 NFL championship game.
An Emotional Moment
For several fans, there was one performance of "America the Beautiful" that moved them to tears. Weeks before the Super Bowl, a deadly rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut took place where 26 students and staff members were brutally murdered in cold blood.
In 2013, the National Football League flew in members of the Sandy Hook Elementary School chorus to perform the song with Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson at Super Bowl XLVII. The performance moved the audience and football players and it helped the Sandy Hook Elementary School students and faculty continue their healing process.
Hamilton's Second Time
Odom, Jr. will be the fourth alumni from the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton: An American Musical, to perform the patriotic tune. Three of his fellow original cast members, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Phillipa Soo, who portrayed the show's Schuyler Sisters, showcased their impeccable three-part harmonies when they entertained the NRG Stadium audience last year.
The Super Bowl Entertainment Line-Up
Odom, Jr. completes the Super Bowl LII entertainment line-up. Once Odom, Jr. is finished with "America the Beautiful," P!nk will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner." P!nk joins a long list of performers who sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl including Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, and Lady Gaga. Luke Bryan sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at last year's Super Bowl.
However, all eyes will be on Justin Timberlake as he headlines the 2018 Super Bowl Halftime Show. This marks the first time since the Janet Jackson halftime show controversy that Timberlake has performed at the NFL championship game.
Super Bowl LII is expected to take place on Feb. 4.
