01/13/2026
Who Is Singing the National Anthem at Steelers vs Texans? Life, Net Worth, & More About Norelle Simpson
The final game of the wild-card weekend sets a dramatic stage as the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome the Houston Texans to Acrisure Stadium for a prime-time clash filled with history, anticipation, and pageantry, with extra intrigue surrounding Pittsburgh’s remarkable home record on Monday nights that stretches back decades and adds an almost mythical layer to the evening, and before the opening kickoff draws all eyes to the field, the atmosphere will be elevated by a powerful musical moment as Norelle Simpson steps into the spotlight to deliver her rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, giving fans a reason to arrive early and soak in the emotion of the night, because Simpson’s journey to this moment is as compelling as the game itself, beginning in Cleveland, Ohio, where her love for music took shape at a young age through her time with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus and the 93.1 WZAK youth choir, experiences that laid the foundation for a career built on discipline, versatility, and passion, which she continued to nurture while attending John Carroll University starting in 2003, performing regularly at BSIDE and balancing her artistic ambitions with her academic path, later earning a degree in sociology and psychology in 2010 before fully committing herself to the pursuit of music, a decision that soon paid off as she earned opportunities to travel the world as a backup vocalist for global stars like Rihanna and Alicia Keys, experiences that sharpened her stage presence and broadened her creative perspective, and it was during one of these tours that she met drummer Chris Johnson, who would later become her husband and an important collaborator in her creative life, supporting her solo efforts including the production of her 2018 EP Love, Norelle and the Black Friday Concert Series, while together they also embraced parenthood with the arrival of their son in February 2022, adding another meaningful chapter to her story, and beyond her own performances Simpson has quietly built a reputation as a mentor and guide for emerging artists, offering vocal coaching, performance insight, and advice on building confidence and connection on stage, all while continuing to grow her own audience, which now includes thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify and a strong social media following, supported by a growing catalog of releases that includes multiple singles between 2020 and 2024 and her 2021 album A Story about Love, a seven-track project that reflects her evolving voice and personal storytelling, alongside career highlights such as sharing the stage with Alicia Keys at the 2020 Grammy Awards and contributing to Anderson .Paak’s Grammy-winning album Ventura, as well as television appearances on shows like American Idol, The Four, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, moments that have steadily expanded her visibility and credibility as an artist in her own right, and while details about her net worth remain private, her career clearly reflects a steady blend of high-profile collaborations, solo artistry, and live performances at major sporting events, including the Super Bowl halftime show in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, a recent NFL appearance at a Cleveland Browns versus Buffalo Bills game in December 2025, and even major boxing events in Los Angeles, each performance reinforcing her ability to command any stage with grace and confidence, and as she continues to voice her aspirations of being recognized fully as a solo artist, earning major accolades, touring under her own name, and collaborating with creators like D’Mile, Victoria Monét, H.E.R., and Drake, her performance ahead of Steelers versus Texans feels less like a single moment and more like another meaningful step in a career defined by growth, resilience, and an unmistakable love for music, making the opening notes of the anthem not just a ceremonial start to a football game, but a celebration of an artist who has earned her place in the spotlight.