Coco Jones delivered a powerful performance of the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl on Sunday.
As soon as she took the stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., to perform ahead of the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks entering the field, her outfit told a story. It paid homage to the late Whitney Houston.
Jones wore a white, cascading skirt featuring a billowing peplum addition, along with a cropped zip-up athletic jacket that came with a red stripe on the chest and her right arm. The R&B singer shared with Entertainment Tonight how she and her designer, Karl Kani, were inspired by Houston’s iconic national anthem performance in 1991.
The “I Will Always Love You” singer wore a tracksuit ensemble at that unforgettable Super Bowl while performing the “Star Spangled Banner.”
“I’m really excited for people to see those resemblances,” Jones told Entertainment Tonight ahead of the game. “Karl and I, I had him help me to design this. He’s the godfather of hip-hop and fashion. I’m excited for him to get to have his moment with this.”
Interestingly, the colors on Jones’ white sports jacket were also inspired by the Pan-African flag. The flag, which symbolizes Black liberation, unity, and pride, features a red, black and green stripe. Red is for the blood shed for freedom, black represents people of Black ancestry and green is for hope.
Besides Jones, Brandi Carlile and Green Day performed during the pre-show. Charlie Puth sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” while Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl LX Apple Music Halftime Show.
Last December, Jones spoke to Apple Music about being selected to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
“I don’t know how to feel. I mean, I’m still shocked. It’s just surreal, my life sometimes. But I do think it’s an honor that, you know, they looked at me, and they said, ‘Yup, she can represent culture in this worldwide moment,'” the Bel Air star said at the time.
“I don’t know, it’s just crazy and I’m super grateful about that.”
Jones, as an actress, is known for co-starring in the Peacock drama series “Bel-Air.” She has also been on NBC’s “The Voice” as an advisor to John Legend in his role as coach.
The 28-year-old’s performance at the Super Bowl comes after she had an amazing year following the release of her debut studio album “Why Not More?” in April 2025.
