Brandi Carlile dedicates performance at Super Bowl LX to ‘queer’ and ‘marginalized communities’

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA: Singer Brandi Carlile dedicated her performance of 'America the Beautiful' at Super Bowl LX to “queer” and “marginalized communities,” telling Variety that the moment allowed her to amplify voices often overlooked in mainstream culture.

The Grammy-winning artist reflected on the honor of performing on such a massive stage as an openly queer musician, describing the experience as both emotional and symbolic. She framed the performance as more than music, presenting it as a platform to highlight communities she believes are underrepresented.

Brandi Carlile highlights queer identity at Super Bowl LX 

Carlile said the performance connected her identity with the broader hope and challenges embedded in the American story. “The throughline to being queer and being a representative of a marginalized community, and being put on the largest stage in America to acknowledge the fraught and tender hope that this country is based on, it’s something you don’t say no to,” she said.

She also paid tribute to Katharine Lee Bates, the writer of 'America the Beautiful,' whom Carlile described as “very likely gay.” Bates’ perseverance as a woman navigating intellectual and creative spaces in a restrictive era inspired Carlile’s interpretation of the song. “I feel motivated by the fact that she was very likely gay, and a woman relying on her intellect in a time when that was difficult for women to do so, and living with a partner who was doing the same thing,” Carlile added. 

Brandi Carlile addresses political tensions at Super Bowl LX

Carlile faced criticism after revealing she would donate $25,000 from her LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, the Looking Out Foundation, to provide legal aid for individuals arrested on immigration-related charges in Minnesota.

She was part of a lineup some critics describe as politically charged. Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, known for his outspoken views on immigration and opposition to Trump-era policies, also performed. Rock band Green Day, known for anti-Trump messaging, opened the game, with frontman Billie Joe Armstrong frequently targeting conservative policies and Republicans in performances.

Carlile’s Super Bowl LX appearance highlights how artists increasingly use major entertainment stages to spotlight social and cultural issues, combining music with advocacy in high-profile moments.