Justina Miles made history at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show as the first female deaf performer and the first deaf person to perform the ASL rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem. She signed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the pre-show and signed for 13 minutes during Rihanna’s Halftime Show. During her performance, Miles showed off her dance moves while signing the lyrics to Rihanna’s throwback hits. Her energetic and exceptional performance quickly went viral on social media, and fans praised her for bringing a unique element to the show.
Miles, a 20-year-old nursing student at HBCU Bowie State University in Philadelphia, went viral in 2020 for her ASL version of the TikTok #crushonyouchallenge. She was also part of the USA team that won a silver medal as part of the 4×100 women’s track relay team at the 2021-22 Deaflympics in Brazil.
The Super Bowl pre-game show also featured ASL performances from other deaf performers, including Troy Kotsur and Colin Denny. Fox Sports provided a dedicated livestream on their YouTube channel for sign language interpretations during the pre-show and Halftime performances.
During Rihanna’s Halftime Show, the singer also made a surprise announcement – she is expecting her second child with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky. The announcement came after a five-year hiatus from performing, and fans were thrilled with the news.
Miles’ historic performance at the Super Bowl halftime show highlights the importance of making events accessible to all individuals, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. ASL interpretation allows individuals who use sign language as their primary mode of communication to fully participate in events and have the same experience as everyone else. Providing ASL interpretation not only benefits individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, but it also promotes inclusivity and diversity at large events like the Super Bowl.
Furthermore, Miles’ performance demonstrates that individuals with disabilities can achieve their goals and succeed in their chosen fields. Miles hopes that her performance will inspire others to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
Justina Miles’ historic performance at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show as the first female deaf performer and the first deaf person to perform the ASL rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” demonstrates the importance of inclusivity and accessibility at large events. Miles’ energetic and exceptional performance showcases the talent and abilities of individuals with disabilities and serves as an inspiration to others. The Super Bowl pre-game show and Halftime performances were streamed live on YouTube with ASL interpretation, making the event accessible to all viewers.
