NBC mixes up Mickey Guyton and Jhene Aiko at Super Bowl LXI
Guyton was misidentified as Aiko by NBC during the Super Bowl pre-game performance of 'America the Beautiful.'
Country singer Mickey Guyton and R&B singer Jhene Aiko were both tapped to perform at Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, but their moment was nearly tainted by a gaffe by NBC.
During Aiko’s performance of “America the Beautiful,” NBC briefly misidentified her by transitioning the camera to Guyton and flashing a lower third chyron graphic of Aiko’s name. Guyton was standing in her spot awaiting to sing the National Anthem, while Aiko was on the field and began singing.
NBC rectified the mistake and put the chyron graphic of Aiko’s name up while Aiko was performing. Guyton was properly identified when she began to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” following Aiko.
The network was criticized for misidentifying the two singers. Not only do the two Grammy-nominees look nothing alike, but they were wearing different outfits. Aiko was wearing a dark maroon sequined gown while Guyton wore a royal blue dress.
And while Aiko was accompanied by was accompanied by harpist Gracie Sprout during her rendition of “America The Beautiful,” Guyton was backed by a group of background singers dressed in all-white.
People took to social media to drag NBC for their gaffe.
Despite the mix-up, Guyton seemed unfazed and grateful for the moment. She posted a thank you tweet following the National Anthem, writing, “What a dream. Thankful.”
Also performing during the pregame festivities were Grammy-winning gospel duo Mary Mary, who sang the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice.”
During the telecast, Dr. Dre led a star-studded halftime show performance with co-headliners Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem. Dre and Snoop rapped their hits “The Next Episode” and “Still D.R.E.” while Lamar did an elaborate performance of his 2015 single “Alright.” Blige sang her 2002 classics “Family Affair” and “No More Drama.”
Eminem performed his signature song, “Lose Yourself,” accompanied by special guest Anderson .Paak on drums. The Detroit rapper also did a ceremonious kneel in solidarity with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Another unannounced guest was 50 Cent, who performed his 2003 Dre-produced number one single, “In Da Club.”
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