Why Reba McEntire's Super Bowl 2024 National Anthem Outfit Sparkles?

Getting Ready With Reba McEntire at Super Bowl LVIII: The Sparkling Details Behind the Ralph Lauren National Anthem Performance Look

Reba McEntire gets ready backstage on Feb. 11 ahead of performing the national anthem at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

When Reba McEntire performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, she entered the history books: An average of 123.7 million viewers tuned in, making the program America’s most-watched ever on TV.

So, it was an apt choice to sing the national anthem wearing a designer synonymous with Americana — Ralph Lauren.

The Grammy winner took to the stage in a platinum lamé Western-inspired blazer embellished with more than 175,800 transparent Swarovski crystals, and black suede bootcut pants featuring hand-embroidered floral motifs and a mix of suede and crystal-beaded fringe along the side seams.

“Ralph Lauren was a perfect pairing, and not only the top choice, but the only choice,” stylist Cristina Ehrlich told WWD. “Her aesthetic pairs well with the Ralph Lauren heritage, which made this an easy top choice.”

Ehrlich aimed to give McEntire’s style a country-meets-catwalk spin that was amplified by details like embroidery on stretch suede, fringe, and production at Ralph Lauren’s atelier in Italy. “We’re conveying a story of tailored fashion while representing the DNA of Ralph Lauren’s brand. We wanted to give western and runway.”

Ehrlich collaborated with the brand previously, and said the Super Bowl project took nearly three months to get ready.”It always starts with the sketch,” Ehrlich said. “This was an organic conversation around who Reba is. We merged tailoring with authenticity to elevate the moment and have a runway feel. The aesthetic of both Reba and Ralph becoming one with Reba’s personal style was important throughout the process.”

McEntire invited WWD backstage to get a behind-the-scenes look at preparation for the show. Here, see how Reba McEntire gets ready.

Photos Courtesy of Justin McIntosh