Jon Batiste’s Super Bowl Anthem Performance Leaves Viewers Shocked and Disappointed!

Jon Batiste performed the U.S. national anthem at the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 9, just before the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Grammy-winning musician and composer sang the anthem at the Caesars Superdome, but his performance divided fans. Some viewers didn’t like his version of the anthem and made their opinions known.

Jon started his performance with a jazzy and smooth rhythm, slowly building up energy as he played a lively piano positioned in the center of the field.

His style was unique and different from traditional renditions, which led to mixed reactions. One fan tweeted, “That’s how u [sic] ruin the national anthem 😂,” while another called it “the worst rendition.” A third fan said, “Sadly, it was far from stunning. It was disappointing, to say the least.” Many fans felt his version was too far from the original, with one saying, “The national anthem was butchered.”

Another fan agreed, saying, “Absolutely terrible. If we can’t sing along, it’s not the national anthem.” Some fans expressed a preference for a more traditional approach, with one commenting, “I’ll never understand why they can’t just sing the song. Nobody wants to hear ‘your version’ of it. It’s the National Anthem—not The Voice.”

A more critical fan added, “No one should change the words of any national anthem.” On the other hand, some fans tried to appreciate his performance, with one saying, “Appreciate the blues touch, but it was kind of weak.”

However, not all reactions were negative. One fan called it “amazing,” and another said, “A powerful and heartfelt performance! 🇺🇸🎶 #SBLIX.”

Before the Super Bowl, Jon shared his excitement about the performance. He said, “I’m excited to figure out an arrangement that lasts the test of time and I look forward to sharing it.” He also talked about how the Super Bowl brings people together and how happy he was to be a part of it.

A few days before the Super Bowl, Jon posted a video on Instagram where he mentioned his love for both music and sports. “But music, lucky for me, has brought me back for the big game,” he said.

The day before the Super Bowl, Jon hosted his first Love Riot Festival in New Orleans’ 9th Ward. He thanked organizations and teams that helped make the event a success, such as He Gets Us, George Washington Carver High School, Thrive New Orleans, and Giving Hope.

The festival aimed to uplift the community with music, offering a free, full-scale music experience as a gift. Jon also thanked the artists who performed and closed with an emotional message, saying, “I love you even if I don’t know you!”

Jon Batiste, a celebrated musician, has received 22 Grammy nominations and 7 wins throughout his career. While he didn’t attend the 2025 Grammy Awards, he posted on Instagram to express his gratitude for the recognition. His documentary “American Symphony” won the Grammy for Best Music Film, and his song “It Never Went Away” won Best Song Written for Visual Media. Jon shared his thanks, posting a picture next to his wife, Suleika Jaouad.

Jon is known for pushing musical boundaries, and his latest album, “Beethoven Blues,” released in 2024, reflects this. The 11-track album blends Beethoven’s famous compositions with modern music styles, making classical music more accessible to a wider audience.

He explained, “Beethoven occupies rare air in terms of the canon,” referring to the composer’s timeless influence. Jon’s background as a Juilliard-trained jazz pianist has led him to collaborate with big names like Beyonce and Prince.

Jon also works with his wife, Suleika Jaouad, on some projects. Suleika is a best-selling author, Emmy Award-winning journalist, and motivational speaker. Together, they created the documentary “American Symphony,” which follows Jon as he composes a symphony while Suleika faces a cancer diagnosis.

Suleika has shared her cancer journey in her books “Life Interrupted,” “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted,” and “The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life.” Her writing reflects her resilience, passion for life, and the power of love even in the face of hardship.

In a post at the end of 2024, Suleika shared her feelings after learning that her cancer had returned for the third time. “When you learn for the third time you have cancer, it’s easy to feel hopeless,” she wrote. But despite the challenges, she found moments of joy and gratitude. She acknowledged the support of her husband, Jon, whose love and care helped her through the tough times.

Suleika often reflects on life’s beauty, even in difficult moments, reminding herself to live and love fully.