Op-Ed: Christina Aguilera brings soul to Super Bowl national anthem

Arlington - She stood center stage dressed in black, with her blond hair and red lipstick reminiscent of old Hollywood, her voice spreading soul like a banner unfurled as Super Bowl fans in Cowboy Stadium stood and cheered.

Christina Aguilera, known for her style, white soul sister by some in the manner of New Orleans, brought tears to the eyes of the players, who listened with eyes peering upwards, like others, enjoying the moment and the song of a style unique to the national anthem. Each note was held to a bosom, then thrust out with fervor, and caught by folks sharing her lustrous sounds of jubilation to open the long-waited game. The annual Super Bowl Sunday is part of tradition in America’s homes, and in many places all around the world. Part of that tradition is the choice of entertainer who introduces the game with the national anthem each year. Aguilera had performed the national anthem at the 2010 Game 7 NBA finals. In 2010 Carrie Underwood sang the national anthem for the Super Bowl. Her presentation was very different than the one given by Aguilera for the Super Bowl 2011. Underwood dressed all in white, wearing a cropped jacket and tight pants, in contrast with Aguilera on Sunday, in a dress all in black, showing off the drama of blondness and the contemporary soul style of song. Underwood’s rendition was more country, still in fashion for her special fans. Aguilera's song brought some of the African American football players to tears, however; as she associates herself with the voice of her "sisters" and says she isn't ashamed to display it like that. Aguilera, five time Grammy award winner, is quoted on her website as saying, “I have been performing the Anthem since I was seven years old and I must say the Super Bowl is a dream come true,” said Christina. “I am really excited to be part of such an iconic event.” Her fans seemed excited as well, since she was one of those holding the word "brave" past the 6 second mark, to get in those musical records where bets were also made, in spite of the flub of the song, some fans overlooked.