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On platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram, the analysis was instantaneous and relentless. Users compared the performance to historical anthem renditions, citing Whitney Houston’s legendary 1991 performance—which was famously revealed to have used a pre-recorded track—and contrasting it with more recent, “gritter” performances where visible effort and environmental factors proved the live nature of the vocals. Critics pointed to the lack of “vocal artifacts”—the small imperfections that typically occur when a singer is projecting in an open-air stadium—as a sign that Puth might have been lip-syncing to a pre-recorded master. Phrases like “too perfect” and “studio-quality” began to trend, turning what was intended to be a unifying patriotic moment into a Rorschach test for modern skepticism.
Despite the vocal minority of skeptics, a significant portion of the audience rose to Puth’s defense. His loyal fan base and many musical purists argued that the singer’s well-documented absolute pitch and rigorous vocal training made such a performance not only possible but expected from a musician of his caliber. They contended that in an age of subpar live singing, an artist who actually delivers a high-quality, professional vocal should be celebrated rather than accused of deception. For these supporters, the backlash was less about the performance itself and more about a culture that has become so accustomed to mediocrity that it can no longer recognize excellence without suspecting a hidden gimmick.
The NFL and Puth’s representatives have followed the traditional script in the wake of such debates, neither confirming nor denying the use of a backing track. In the world of professional broadcasting, such a confirmation is rarely forthcoming, as it tends to break the “magic” of the television experience. This lack of definitive answers has only allowed the legend of the performance to grow. For some, it will forever be remembered as one of the most technically flawless anthems in the history of the game; for others, it will remain a cautionary tale of the over-sanitization of live entertainment in the 21st century.
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