And President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized players who have taken a knee during the national anthem.Ī number of performers like Rihanna, Jay Z, and Cardi B reportedly declined to perform at Super Bowl 2019 as a result. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who leads the "take a knee" movement, hasn't played professionally since 2017 and has claimed in a grievance that team owners have colluded to keep him out of it. The league has been the subject of criticism for years over its handling of players' protests against racism and police brutality against unarmed black men. Her performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" comes at a pivotal and controversial time in the NFL. Still, some may wonder why Gladys Knight is singing the national anthem at Super Bowl 2019 at all. The NFL did not respond when asked for further clarification, and representatives for Knight and SAG did not respond to requests for comment. It's unclear if Knight will receive that payment, and those minimums are far less hefty than the checks acclaimed artists receive for a typical performance. The NFL spokesperson says halftime performers - like 2019's Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi - are paid on a "union scale," likely referring to minimums required by the Screen Actors Guild union. But, historically, Super Bowl national anthem singers and halftime performers aren't compensated much beyond that. The NFL covers "all costs," from travel and accommodations to production set-up, a NFL spokesperson tells Money. In front of tens of thousands of football fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the iconic singer will sing the "Star Spangled Banner" in her hometown to more than 100 million viewers - the largest national stage there is each year.īut how much money will Knight be paid for the gig? Joining Knight in representing her hometown is Big Boi, alongside Maroon 5 and Travis Scott, who will perform during this year’s halftime show.Seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight will perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl before the New England Patriots vs. This year’s pre-game set also featured a powerful performance of “America the Beautiful” by Grammy-nominated R&B duo Chloe x Halle. “From walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good - I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII.” “I am here today and on Sunday, February 3rd to give the anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life,” she continued. “It is unfortunate that our National Anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the National Anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.” Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,” Knight said of her choice in a statement to Variety. Knight’s decision to perform was contentious since many artists, such as Rihanna and Cardi B, boycotted events related to the Super Bowl this year in support of Colin Kaepernick. “The NFL recently announced their new social justice platform Inspire Change, and I am honored to be a part of its inaugural year.” “I am proud to use my voice to unite and represent our country in my hometown of Atlanta,” she said in a statement. The “Empress of Soul’s” appearance follows the footsteps of artists including Cher, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel and P!nk who performed last year.Īhead of her performance, Knight - who is best known for hits including “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “That’s What Friends Are For” - said she was “proud” to be chosen to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at this year’s event despite controversy. The set also featured performance artist and deaf activist Aarron Loggins, who signed the anthem in honor of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Gladys Knight performed a powerful rendition of the National Anthem ahead of Super Bowl LIII Sunday night in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.Īlongside members of the military, Knight initiated the performance with delicate vocals, but she clenched her fist as she belted out the final verses of the anthem.
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