Forget the game —Demi Lovato‘sstirring rendition of the national anthemis all fans can talk about.
On Sunday, the “Sorry Not Sorry” singer, 27, openedSuper Bowl LIVwith a show-stopping performance of “The Star Spangled Banner,” exciting eager fans on social media as she further solidifies her musical comeback.
“DEMI LOVATOJUST SLAYED THAT NATIONAL ANTHEM WOWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!! SOOOO PROUD MAMA!!!! AHHHHHHHH,” one userwrote.
Others had similar reactions, with a Twitter userwriting, “#DemiLovato JUST SLAYED THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AS ANYONE HAS DONE IT BEFORE.”
Added another, “THIS is how you do the National Anthem.Demi Lovatokilled it ?? #SuperBowl.”
The Nashville Predators, an NHL team, got in on the fun, too, joking that Lovato “just won” the Super Bowl before the Chiefs and 49ers even had a chance to step onto the field.
Even Ryan Seacrest hopped on Twitter to sing Lovato’s praises, writing, “Crushed. It. @ddlovato! #SuperBowlLIV.”
“The BEST EVER. @ddlovato #StarSpangledBanner,”wroteZ100 radio host Elvis Duran.
The pop superstar’s game-day performance came exactly one week after she took the 2020Grammy Awards’ stage with her new song “Anyone,” marking her first time singing in a live show since herdrug overdosein July 2018.
Overcome with emotion, Lovato stood alongside a piano wearing an elaborate white gown as she softly sang the first few lyrics of her heartfelt single. “I tried to talk to my piano, I tried,” she sang before her eyes welled with tears.
The musician has beencandid about her sobriety journeyafter overdosing at her home in Hollywood Hills in July 2018 — and has recently dropped hints about a return to music. Her last single, “Sober,” came out June 2018, about one month before the overdose.
Speaking at theTeen VogueSummitin Los Angeles in November, Lovato opened up about how she’s stronger than ever.
“What I see in the mirror [is] someone that’s overcome a lot. I’ve been through a lot and I genuinely see a fighter,” she said at the time. “I don’t see a championship winner, but I see a fighter and someone who is going to continue to fight no matter what is thrown in their way.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
Rachel Murray/Getty Images

Lovatofollows in the footstepsofGladys Knight, who performed the anthem at the 2019 Super Bowl. The year prior,Pinktook the field tosing the national anthemwhilebattling the flu.
Later on during this year’sNFLmatchup — which pits the San Francisco 49ers against the Kansas City Chiefs — other musical superstars,Jennifer LopezandShakira, take centerstage for a thrilling halftime performance.
“It’s a perfect moment in my life, honestly,” Lopez, 50,said earlier this monthof the Super Bowl gig, “but it’s also a great time for a Latina women to take the stage at the biggest all-American event, with everything that’s going on in the country right now.”
The 49ers and the Chiefs will face-off at the Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, Feb. 2, in Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium. The game is airing on FOX.
source: people.com