Super Bowl Sunday is always about more than football. It’s about culture, spectacle, and the voices that define a moment in history. At Super Bowl LX (60) on February 8, 2026, that voice belongs to Coco Jones. The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress is set to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” widely recognized as the Black National Anthem, ahead of kickoff at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
As millions tune in worldwide, Jones’ performance will open the game with both reverence and power, continuing the NFL’s tradition of honoring Black history and culture during its biggest broadcast of the year. But Coco Jones’ journey to the Super Bowl stage is as compelling as the anthem she’s about to sing.
Coco Jones Performs “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Super Bowl LX
Coco Jones will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the official pre-game ceremonies at Super Bowl 60. The song, originally a poem by James Weldon Johnson and set to music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson in 1900, has become a lasting symbol of Black resilience, hope, and unity in America.
The NFL began including the anthem in Super Bowl programming in 2020, and its presence during Black History Month underscores the league’s effort to spotlight Black excellence on its most global stage.
Jones’ performance will appear alongside other ceremonial acts, including:
- Charlie Puth singing “The Star-Spangled Banner”
- Brandi Carlile performing “America the Beautiful”
- A halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny
The game will be broadcast live on CBS, with streaming on Paramount+ and NFL+.
Super Bowl LX Official Performance Details
| Time (ET) | Event | Performer | Location | Broadcast |
| Pregame | “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (Black National Anthem) | Coco Jones | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | CBS / Paramount+ / NFL+ |
| Pregame | “The Star-Spangled Banner” | Charlie Puth | Levi’s Stadium | CBS |
| Pregame | “America the Beautiful” | Brandi Carlile | Levi’s Stadium | CBS |
| Halftime | Super Bowl LX Halftime Show | Bad Bunny | Levi’s Stadium | CBS |
From Disney Discovery to Super Bowl Spotlight
Born Courtney Michaela “Coco” Jones on January 4, 1998, in Columbia, South Carolina, and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, Jones grew up in a family rooted in performance and sports. Her father is former NFL wide receiver Mike Jones, and her mother, Javonda Jones, is a session vocalist. She also has an older brother, Mike Jones Jr., and two younger siblings, Aja and Steven.
Her talent surfaced early. She famously performed “America the Beautiful” at her kindergarten graduation, foreshadowing a future filled with anthem-sized moments. At age nine, she caught Disney’s attention during a family trip, setting her entertainment career in motion.
Influenced by legends like Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Aretha Franklin, Brandy Norwood, Mary J. Blige, Jazmine Sullivan, and CeCe Winans, Jones developed a soulful alto that now defines modern R&B.
Disney Breakthrough and Industry Struggles
Jones’ career took off with Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing, where her song “Real You” earned runner-up status and a deal with Hollywood Records. Her big breakout came in 2012 with the Disney Channel movie Let It Shine, where she starred as Roxanne “Roxie” Andrews opposite Tyler James Williams. The film drew 5.7 million viewers, becoming that year’s top kids’ TV movie.
Despite early success, the industry proved difficult. After creative clashes, she was dropped by Hollywood Records in 2014. Jones later revealed she faced colorism, with executives claiming she was “not marketable” after Let It Shine. Rather than quit, she rebuilt independently, releasing music on YouTube and pivoting toward acting.
Her resilience paid off with roles in Flock of Four, Vampires vs. the Bronx, and ultimately her defining TV performance as Hilary Banks in Peacock’s Bel-Air reboot (2022–2025), where she modernized the iconic character with depth and vulnerability.
Coco Jones’ R&B Comeback and Grammy Dominance
In 2022, Jones signed with Def Jam and High Standardz, launching her modern R&B era. Her EP What I Didn’t Tell You introduced the breakout hit “ICU,” which went platinum and earned her the 2024 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.
She followed with:
- Coco by the Fireplace (2024)
- Her debut album Why Not More? (2025), which debuted on the Billboard 200
Songs like “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” and “Sweep It Up” showcased introspective lyrics about fame, love, and self-growth, drawing comparisons to SZA and H.E.R.
By 2026, Jones was no longer a comeback story — she was a headline act trusted with one of the most symbolic performances in sports.
Awards, Influence, and Cultural Impact
Jones’ accolades include wins at the NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, and Grammy nominations across multiple R&B categories. Beyond music, she advocates for mental health, anti-bullying, and racial equity in entertainment.
She’s also known for her fashion-forward image rooted in ’90s R&B glamour, while balancing stardom with personal joy. Since 2023, she has dated NBA star Donovan Mitchell, and the pair announced their engagement on July 11, 2025, planning an intimate wedding.
Why Coco Jones’ Super Bowl 60 Performance Matters
Singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Super Bowl LX isn’t just another booking — it’s a cultural milestone. Jones joins a lineage of Black artists trusted to open America’s largest sporting event with dignity, history, and emotional truth.
From a Disney discovery navigating rejection, to a Grammy-winning R&B powerhouse now commanding the Super Bowl stage, Coco Jones embodies persistence and evolution.
When her voice rises over Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026, it won’t just start a football game — it will tell a story of resilience, artistry, and the power of staying true long enough for the world to finally listen.
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