While the Denver Broncos (congrats on the win!) and the Carolina Panthers were living in the special moment during SuperBowl 50 on Sunday, and with Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars set to take the stage during the half-time celebration, another star was anxiously awaiting her moment to shine for more than 110 million viewers watching from home. When Lady Gaga was announced as the National Anthem performer last week, there were skeptics, but the six-time GRAMMY Award winner shut every naysayer down with a beautiful, powerful and convincing rendition.
Lady Gaga has faced the highs and lows of an artist in the constant spotlight. After breaking records with her first three studio albums, her fourth, the commercially under performing ARTPOP, left people wanting more from the "Bad Romance" songstress. With that, Gaga teamed up with jazz legend Tony Bennett for a successful Cheek to Cheek collaborative album, and a supporting tour. She then wowed at the Academy Awards in 2015 with a Sound of Music medley, garnered a Golden Globe win portraying The Countess on American Horror Story: Hotel, and released "Til It Happens To You", an Oscar-nominated joint project with songwriter Diane Warren.
But with all the accomplishments and praise over the last year, Lady Gaga's role singing the patriotic anthem of the United States was still something clouded with uncertainty. Gaga had only sang "The Star Spangled Banner" once before, at the NYC Gay Pride Rally in 2013, and with her well-known theatrics and avant garde style at the forefront of everyone's perception of the singer, performing a classic would prove a challenge even for her.
However, when Lady Gaga took the stage, along with the nation's color guard, dressed in a sparkling red pantsuit, a perfect lace-front wig and bright blue nails to match, people seemed to forget about the singer's crazy antics to instead focus on vocal prowess they seemed to have missed over the last six years. Her soaring, stirring, near-perfect performance had the whole world talking, she hit every note with absolute conviction, added a dose of welcomed drama (with a Celine Dion chest pump) and used the time to prove she's much more than over-the-top music videos and sometimes questionable live performances.
For anyone to say that Gaga's performance was anything less than perfection, that she was somehow pitchy or lip-synced (a delusional claim the NFL has already disproved) would be going against the majority of people who tuned in to watch the Broncos and Panthers square off. The simplicity of the performance, mixed in with the subtle Gaga essence, falls in line with the singer's recent reinvention, choosing to shed light on her undeniable talents, rather than the costumes or the political undertones buried within in her music.
The National Anthem was only the beginning for a sure-to-be spectacular 2016 for Lady Gaga. The artist has a David Bowie tribute at the upcoming GRAMMY ceremony, and a performance of "Til It Happens To You" at the Academy Awards lined up. And with her SuperBowl performance of the National Anthem already ranking as the event's second best of all time (behind Whitney Houston, rest her soul), one can't help but ask themselves, will the NFL call on Gaga for half-time duties at SuperBowl 51 next year?
Theoretically, it's not a bad pairing (especially since pop stars such as Katy Perry and Beyonce have already graced the stage in recent years). Lady Gaga knows how to put on a memorable show, she's a provocative entertainer who can support her career with breathtaking vocal power and appreciated, unique instrumental skills. Have you seen her play the piano with her feet? Seeing a smaller version of her Braodway-like world tours would work perfectly for the SuperBowl. Hearing songs like "Poker Face", "Alejandro", "Born This Way" and "Applause" would be moments of nostalgia, and who knows who she could call on as featured guests. Elton John? Beyonce? Christina Aguilera? Cher? The possibilities are truly endless.
There are those who enjoy tearing a performer down, just because they "stan" for someone else, but no matter what the insults thrown at the artist are, no one can deny that Lady Gaga can sing circles around their favorites. Her flawless performance at the SuperBowl yesterday just added steam to her buzzworthy, critically-acclaimed comeback. With the GRAMMYs and Oscars on the horizon (Gaga is a clear favorite to take home the Academy Award for Best Original Song) and a new pop album confirmed for 2016, I think we are seeing an artist reinvent herself once again, wowing almost everyone in the process.
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