Sheryl Lee Ralph

2023 - 2 - 12

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Sheryl Lee Ralph on her historic Super Bowl act: 'It's just really neat' (The Washington Post)

The Emmy-winning actress from "Abbott Elementary" is the first person to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” live inside of a stadium for Super Bowl Sunday.

She has to finish getting glamorous, but not before predicting that the Eagles were “absolutely winning” in a blowout of 30-7. “And you know she is not going to miss Sheryl Lee Ralph singing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing!’” She also applauded the NFL for taking some of the necessary steps to talking about racism out loud and giving diversity and inclusion a worldwide platform. The song itself holds a special place for Ralph, the daughter of a fashion designer for a mother and a college professor for a father. “I got to tell you, in so many ways, all of this has been unbelievable,” Ralph said. Ralph used to be largely known for her Tony-nominated portrayal of Deena Jones in the original Broadway version of “Dreamgirls.” But she has endeared herself to a new generation of fans thanks to the smash hit “Abbott Elementary” and her portrayal of Howard, a tough but loving kindergarten teacher. To be on the 40-yard line for the song, I’m like, ‘OK, God, this is pretty doggone wonderful.’” 12, 1900, a choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School in Jacksonville performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in public to celebrate what would have been former president Abraham Lincoln’s 91st birthday, according to the It’s three hours before she is set to perform on the biggest stage of her life and Sheryl Lee Ralph is, in her words, in the middle of getting glamorous. “It’s just like winning the Emmy — all of this still hasn’t sunk in yet.” She’s emphatic about the position that will help her get ready for the big game: “It’s absolutely a downward dog!” Ralph, 66, is the first person to perform the song live inside a stadium for Super Bowl Sunday.

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Image courtesy of "Hollywood Reporter"

Super Bowl Preshow: Chris Stapleton Performs National Anthem (Hollywood Reporter)

Super Bowl preshow entertainment also included Sheryl Lee Ralph singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and Babyface performing "America the Beautiful.

[Chris Stapleton](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/chris-stapleton/) sang the National Anthem. [Shaquille O’Neal](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/shaquille-oneal-dj-diesel-pre-super-bowl-interview-1235322904/), Diplo, Snoop Dogg, [Cardi B, Offset](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/cardi-b-offset-super-bowl-hall-of-fame-concert-1235323156/) and more. 1 pop hits for artists like Madonna, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Ariana Grande, Pink and more. Babyface has produced and written 125 top 10 hits, 44 No. [Subscribe Sign Up](https://cloud.email.hollywoodreporter.com/signup/) As his performance came to an end, a U.S. [Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/super-bowl-2023-teams-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-1235312489/) faced off for Super Bowl LVII. [Apple Music Halftime Show featuring Rihanna](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-lvii-rihanna-teases-halftime-1235321612/). Following her performance, with an ensemble of backup singers, fans erupted in applause. [Abbott Elementary](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/abbott-elementary/). [Babyface](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/babyface/) sang “America the Beautiful.” With an American-themed acoustic guitar in hand, he gave a soulful performance wearing a black suit and shades. [Share this article on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/&title=Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem&sdk=joey&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button&app_id=1153511048447777) [Share this article on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/&text=Super%20Bowl%20Preshow%3A%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20%E2%80%9CLift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing%2C%E2%80%9D%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem&via=thr) [Share this article on Email](mailto:?subject=thr%20:%20Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem&body=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/%20-%20Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem) [Show additional share options](#) [Share this article on Print]() [Share this article on Comment](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/#respond) [Share this article on Whatsapp](whatsapp://send?text=Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem%20-%20https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/) [Share this article on Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=1&url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/&title=Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem&summary&source=thr) [Share this article on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/&title=Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem) [Share this article on Pinit](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/&description=Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem) [Share this article on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool/preview?shareSource=legacy&canonicalUrl&url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/super-bowl-2023-chris-stapleton-national-anthem-babyface-sheryl-lee-ralph-1235323205/&posttype=link&title=Super%20Bowl%20Preshow:%20Sheryl%20Lee%20Ralph%20Performs%20“Lift%20Every%20Voice%20and%20Sing,”%20Chris%20Stapleton%20Sings%20National%20Anthem) [Sheryl Lee Ralph](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/sheryl-lee-ralph/) kicked off the 2023 [Super Bowl](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/super-bowl/) festivities with a powerful performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Sunday’s big game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Image courtesy of "Page Six"

Sheryl Lee Ralph rocks bold red jumpsuit for Super Bowl 2023 ... (Page Six)

Sheryl Lee Ralph wore a red-and-black outfit by black-owned brand Harbison Studio to sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at Super Bowl 2023.

I am very happy she is so good at making these connections and giving other people their shots on the red carpet.” “It started as something we were going to do just a few times. [All the celebrities at Super Bowl 2023](https://pagesix.com/2023/02/12/all-the-celebrities-at-super-bowl-2023-jay-z-paul-rudd-and-more/) [Chris Stapleton puts soulful spin on national anthem at Super Bowl 2023](https://pagesix.com/2023/02/12/chris-stapleton-sings-national-anthem-at-super-bowl-2023/) [Sheryl Lee Ralph reps black designer for Super Bowl 2023 performance](https://pagesix.com/2023/02/12/sheryl-lee-ralph-reps-black-designer-at-super-bowl-2023/) Iconic look. Iconic woman. “Iconic moment.

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Image courtesy of "Allure Magazine"

Sheryl Lee Ralph Kicked Off the Super Bowl in Super Glossy Lips ... (Allure Magazine)

Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the Super Bowl wearing full curls, golden shimmery eyeshadow and glossy ...

The Abbott Elementary star kept her makeup relatively simple to complement the bright red and black outfit, with precise, sculpted [brows](http://allure.com/topic/eyebrows), rosy [blush](http://allure.com/topic/blush) and glossy nude lips. As she sang the powerful anthem to the crowd of players and fans, her eyes sparkled under a layer of shimmering bronze-gold [smoked-out shadow](http://allure.com/topic/smoky-eyes) and full, lush lashes. [curls](http://allure.com/topic/curls) worn parted in the center and down her back.

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Image courtesy of "Billboard"

Sheryl Lee Ralph Sings 'Lift Every Voice & Sing' at 2023 Super Bowl (Billboard)

She delivered a robust performance with the help of a backup choir and American Sign Language performer Justina Miles, taking everyone in the stadium — and the ...

Last year, [Mary Mary](https://www.billboard.com/artist/mary-mary/) did the honors from outside Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium. “Let our rejoicing rise/ High as the listening skies,” she bellowed of the uplifting lyrics. 12) from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

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Image courtesy of "Sporting News"

Who is Sheryl Lee Ralph? Everything to know about Super Bowl 57 ... (Sporting News)

The NFL will once again include "Lift Every Voice and Sing", commonly known as the "Black National Anthem", before Sunday's clash. The person poised to perform ...

Last October, she received perhaps her highest honor, netting the Order of Jamaica, the country of her mother's origin. Ralph thrust herself back into the national consciousness with her showing as Howard on "Abbott Elementary", becoming just the second Black actress (after Jackee Henry) to be awarded a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She didn't look out of place next to her esteemed colleague, parlaying her success into guest roles on "Good Times", "The Jeffersons" and "Wonder Woman". The person poised to perform the James Weldon Johnson classic is a big name in her own right. The 66-year-old has garnered worldwide acclaim for her performance as Barbara Howard on "Abbott Elementary" (a show written by noted Eagles fan Quinta Brunson). Not only does it spawn interest from the world's biggest brands and figures, but also some of its biggest entertainers, too.

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Image courtesy of "The Philadelphia Inquirer"

'Abbott Elementary' star Sheryl Lee Ralph ready for her Super Bowl ... (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

"We are watching the Sheryl Lee Ralph show,” R&B legend Babyface told reporters during Super Bowl week.

The song was adopted by the NAACP as the Negro national anthem in 1919, 12 years before the nation adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem. [Alicia Keys performed a prerecorded version of the song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i30SdcfEpSE) ahead of Super Bowl LV in 2021, narrated by actor Anthony Mackie. “We sang along with it right before placing our hands over our hearts and pledging allegiance to the American flag.” “But the school children of Jacksonville kept singing it; they went off to other schools and sang it; they became teachers and taught it to other children. It became an important part of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and ‘60s, sung during organizational meetings for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and quoted in speeches by Dr. My husband, Senator Hughes, is the senator for the district,” Ralph added. “You know I’m rooting for the Eagles.” “We are watching the Sheryl Lee Ralph show,” R&B legend Babyface said during a media event earlier this week. Johnson and his brother, John Rosamond Johnson, transposed it into a song that was first performed by a student choir at a segregated school in Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. Within twenty years it was being sung over the South and in some other parts of the country. Judging by the reception everywhere she showed up during Super Bowl week in Phoenix, she’ll do just fine. Often referred to as “the Black national anthem,” the song was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson, the NAACP’s first Black executive secretary.

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Image courtesy of "StyleCaster"

Sheryl Lee Ralph Net Worth 2023: Super Bowl National Anthem ... (StyleCaster)

Here's what Emmy award winner Sheryl Lee Ralph's net worth is and how much she earns at Super Bowl LVII.

In these highly personal reflections, Sheryl Lee Ralph reveals her take on her supposed feuds with Diana Ross and Jennifer Holliday, on auditioning for Sidney Poitier, why she exited so controversially from the TV series Moesha, and how she signed away her rights to Dreamgirls for a dollar. [Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl by Sheryl Lee Ralph](https://www.amazon.com/Redefining-Diva-Lessons-Original-Dreamgirl/dp/145160842X/?tag=stylecaster0d-20&asc_source=web&asc_campaign=web&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fstylecaster.com%2Fsheryl-lee-ralph-net-worth%2F) She founded the D.I.V.A Foundation in 1990, which is a nonprofit that works as a memorial to the many friends she lost to HIV/AIDS while in the original Broadway company of Dreamgirls. [ Super Bowl 2023](https://stylecaster.com/how-to-watch-super-bowl/), between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. [Rutgers University](https://alumni.rutgers.edu/awards-recognition/hall-of-distinguished-alumni/sheryl-lee-ralph/) in 1975—the youngest woman to graduate—initially studying pre-med but she pivoted towards literature and theater arts. “If you can, help somebody else because I really believe the future of the world is in some of these classrooms that we are very slow to help,” she said. She made her dream a reality when she starred in the 1977 crime comedy film A Piece of the Action directed by Sidney Poitier. She told [STYLECASTER](https://stylecaster.com/sheryl-lee-ralph/), “Being a child of the ’60s, my parents instilled in me the will and the determination to succeed.” She reminisced, “To carry on knowing that I—and I say this a lot—I had to get up off the sidelines of my own life and get involved. The star actress announced that she was going to sing the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Super Bowl LVII. What is Sheryl Lee Ralph’s net worth? She is the second Black actress to receive the award after Jackée Harry in 1987. A veteran actress in the business, and an actual Dreamgirl at that, Ralph won the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2023 for her role as teacher Barbara Howard in the hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary.

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Image courtesy of "Today.com"

Sheryl Lee Ralph Sings 'Lift Every Voice' At Super Bowl 2023 (Today.com)

Often referred to as the Black National Anthem, the song was written by James Weldon Johnson, the leader of the National Association for the Advancement of ...

Ralph was the first to perform from within the stadium. In 2021, Alicia Keys became the first to perform the song during the Super Bowl broadcast in a pre-recorded clip. First written as a hymn, it was set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson.

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Image courtesy of "Vulture"

Watch Sheryl Lee Ralph Perform 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' Before ... (Vulture)

Sheryl Lee Ralph Performs 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' Before Super Bowl LVII. She was the first performer to do the song on the field before the big game.

Perhaps taken with Ralph’s penchant for singing during her Abbott Elementary award acceptance speeches, or perhaps because the Philadelphia Eagles were playing, the NFL decided to get on the Sheryl Lee Ralph express. Ralph is the first performer to do the song on the field before the game. Sheryl Lee Ralph made history by performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem, on the field before Super Bowl LVII.

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Image courtesy of "Hollywood Reporter"

Sheryl Lee Ralph on Super Bowl Lip-Sync Chatter: 'Does It Matter?' (Hollywood Reporter)

The Emmy-winning actress-singer made the comments to The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday following her performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the Super Bowl ...

She said she was happy to make history at the Super Bowl, which took place during Black History Month. Is she going to be a superhero? Who’s she going to play? “All I can do is thank God — that God would deliver me all these flowers at this point in my career. Ralph has appeared in a number of TV shows and films, and earned a Tony nomination for her role on Broadway’s Dreamgirls. “OK, my God, what’s she going to do next? The shoes. The hair. You know God must be a woman because all of this is just too perfect,” Ralph said. [Abbott Elementary](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/abbott-elementary/) takes place in Philadelphia. The wardrobe. [Sheryl Lee Ralph](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/sheryl-lee-ralph/) lip-synced during her [Super Bowl](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/super-bowl/) performance, her response: “Does it matter?

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Image courtesy of "The Philadelphia Inquirer"

Sheryl Lee Ralph belts 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' to open the Super ... (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Dressed in a floor-length red gown, Ralph began the song with a solemn and stately cadence through the hymn's opening lines.

In sunglasses and without his trademark cowboy hat, Stapleton followed Babyface’s lead in backing himself up on guitar in an almost bluesy take on the song, growling in Francis Scott Key’s lyrics in a low register. But as Ralph moved through the songs’ opening verse, she transformed the song about the struggles of Black Americans into a triumphant march: “Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,” she sang. The Super Bowl LVII National Anthem performance was by Chris Stapleton, the bearded burly voiced baritone country singer last seen duetting with Stevie Wonder on “Higher Ground” on the Grammy Awards telecast earlier this month.

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Image courtesy of "Billy Penn"

How to watch Sheryl Lee Ralph sing 'Lift Every Voice' at Super Bowl ... (Billy Penn)

The Emmy-winning “Abbott Elementary” star tapped to help open the show in Arizona is most definitely an Eagles fan.

Fox has the Super Bowl this year, with coverage starting five hours before kickoff. They came to slay, and win.” Here’s the info we’ve been able to nail down. They are here in this Super Bowl, and they did not come to play. She appeared so distressed that husband Hughes came running back up the carpet to stand at her shoulder and provide support. With an appalled expression, the actor glanced around as if in shock. [FuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/stream/nfl/), [YouTube TV](https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/signup), and [Sling TV](https://www.sling.com/pm/homepage), all of which offer a free trial for first-time or app users. [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fox-sports-watch-live/id294056623), Android, and [Roku](https://www.roku.com/blog/how-to-watch-fox-networks-without-cable) — and the network is making SB57 coverage free even if you don’t have a pay TV subscription. “Oh honey, please,” Ralph began, emphatically predicting Philadelphia would be victorious. They fly on the road to victory. [Chris Stapleton will sing](https://www.nfl.com/news/super-bowl-lvii-pregame-entertainment-lineup-announced-chris-stapleton-to-sing-n) the Star Spangled Banner, and R&B singer Babyface will sing “America the Beautiful. [Ralph posted](https://twitter.com/thesherylralph/status/1617911346657656834) when the NFL announced she’d be part of the pregame ceremonies.

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Image courtesy of "Billboard"

Sheryl Lee Ralph on Super Bowl LVII Performance, Lip-Sync Chatter (Billboard)

Sheryl Lee Ralph talked about her Super Bowl LVII 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' performance, lip sync chatter.

She said she was happy to make history at the Super Bowl, which took place during Black History Month. She said she was feeling a high of positivity following the performance. For those who wondered if Sheryl Lee Ralph lip-synced during her Super Bowl performance, her response: “Does it matter? Is she going to be a superhero? Who’s she going to play? “All I can do is thank God — that God would deliver me all these flowers at this point in my career. Ralph has appeared in a number of TV shows and films, and earned a Tony nomination for her role on Broadway’s Dreamgirls. The shoes. The hair. The wardrobe. You know God must be a woman because all of this is just too perfect,” Ralph said. [Sheryl Lee Ralph](https://www.billboard.com/artist/sheryl-lee-ralph/) lip-synced during her [Super Bowl](https://www.billboard.com/t/super-bowl/) performance, her response: “Does it matter?

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Image courtesy of "TV Insider"

Sheryl Lee Ralph Expertly Shuts Down Super Bowl Lip-Sync Chatter (TV Insider)

Ralph performed the Black National Anthem on the 123rd anniversary of its first public performance (February 12, 1900) before the big game on Sunday, February ...

[Rihanna](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/rihanna/) was singing live into a live mic on top of pre-recorded music during her [soaring Super Bowl Halftime Show](https://www.tvinsider.com/1081261/rihanna-super-bowl-halftime-show-2023-video/). Ralph’s Abbott co-stars, [Quinta Brunson](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/quinta-brunson/) and [Lisa Ann Walter](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/lisa-ann-walter/), were in the crowd in Glendale, cheering her on with pride. [Abbott Elementary](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/abbott-elementary/) takes place in Philadelphia. [1Why Did Taye Diggs Leave ‘All American’?](https://www.tvinsider.com/1081643/taye-diggs-leaves-all-american-billy-baker-death/) [2Ask Matt: Spinoff Mania, ‘Night Court’ & Long Streaming Waits](https://www.tvinsider.com/1081498/ask-matt-tv-spinoffs-night-court-criminal-minds-ghosts/) [3T.K. [Whitney Houston](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/whitney-houston/)‘s mic wasn’t live during her 1991 Super Bowl national anthem (she was singing live on top of a pre-recorded track, but her mic was off), and it’s still considered the [greatest of all time](https://www.tvinsider.com/1080440/best-super-bowl-national-anthems-ranked/). The shoes. [Sheryl Lee Ralph](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/sheryl-lee-ralph/) reminded reporters of that following her [splendid performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”](https://www.tvinsider.com/1081227/super-bowl-sheryl-lee-ralph-lift-every-voice-and-sing-video/) at the [2023 Super Bowl](https://www.tvinsider.com/1079278/super-bowl-2023-commercials/) where the Kansas City Chiefs reigned supreme. The hair. The wardrobe. At the [Super Bowl](https://www.tvinsider.com/show/super-bowl/) is loud. Lip-syncing at the Super Bowl is more common than some may realize.

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Image courtesy of "American Songwriter"

Sheryl Lee Ralph Performs Moving 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' at the ... (American Songwriter)

The song has been a part of the pre-game in the NFL since 2021 and the performance by Lee came during the month of February, which is Black History Month in the ...

What a way to bring us all together,” Ralph said in a press statement prior to the game. Previously, Keys sang it in a pre-recorded video and Mary Mary sang the tune outside the football stadium. The song has been a part of the pre-game in the NFL since 2021 and the performance by Lee came during the month of February, which is Black History Month in the United States.

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Image courtesy of "Crow River Media"

Sheryl Lee Ralph shrugs off Super Bowl lip-sync row (Crow River Media)

Sheryl Lee Ralph has declared it "doesn't matter" whether or not she mimed during her Super Bowl performance of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing'.

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