Carrie Underwood may have commanded the spotlight during Super Bowl LX — but she made it clear she didn’t do it alone.
Just days after her electrifying performance of “The Champion” aired in an NBC promo during Sunday’s big game (February 8), the Grammy-winning superstar offered fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the moment came together.
“Behind every spotlight moment is a whole team shining just as bright!” Underwood wrote in a heartfelt Instagram caption on Tuesday (February 10).
The post featured striking images captured by photographer, videographer, and director Jeff Johnson, along with Danny Ventrella of NBC Sports. Underwood also tagged and thanked her stylists — the creative minds responsible for her show-stopping look.
And what a look it was.
She wore a shimmering gown with a dramatic thigh-high split that nearly reached her hip — bold, powerful, and perfectly aligned with the anthem she was performing.
A Champion’s Energy
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Underwood’s performance of her 2018 hit “The Champion” aired just ahead of the third quarter of Super Bowl LX. The high-intensity promo cut between Underwood’s fierce delivery and adrenaline-fueled game footage as players prepared to take the field.
The result was cinematic.
“The Champion,” originally released on her Cry Pretty
As the second half began, the Seattle Seahawks ultimately secured a 29–13 victory over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — sealing the championship under the pulse of Underwood’s anthem.
Thirteen Seasons Strong
For Underwood, Super Bowl LX was more than just a one-night appearance.
The 2025–26 NFL season marked her 13th consecutive year performing the Sunday Night Football
She recorded this season’s opening at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, where she recently concluded her history-making REFLECTION
Her continued partnership with the NFL has become one of the most recognizable collaborations in sports entertainment.
Reports indicate Underwood earns approximately $1 million per week for her Sunday Night Football opener — totaling around $18 million across the 18-week season.
But as her recent Instagram post made clear, she sees the spotlight as shared.
Pulling Back the Curtain
In an industry often centered on individual fame, Underwood’s message focused on collective effort.
From directors and videographers to stylists and production teams, she spotlighted the people who make the spectacle possible.
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It’s a subtle but powerful reminder:
What audiences see in 60 seconds on national television represents weeks — sometimes months — of preparation.
Lighting cues.
Wardrobe fittings.
Camera choreography.
Audio precision.
The glamour may belong to the moment.
But the work belongs to the team.
More Than a Performance
Underwood’s behind-the-scenes glimpse didn’t just celebrate fashion or production value.
It reinforced her reputation as a professional who understands scale — and gratitude.
Whether standing center stage at a Las Vegas residency or anchoring the NFL’s most-watched broadcast, she approaches each opportunity with precision and acknowledgment.
And that may be the true “spotlight moment.”
Not just the power of the performance — but the humility behind it.
