Grammy Winning Opera Singer To Perform National Anthem At Super Bowl

(AP) - Billy Joel, Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston and Carrie Underwood have done it. So have Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keys.

But this year, there will not be a pop, R&B or country star performing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. The anthem singer will be opera star Renee Fleming.

She's a four-time Grammy winner - and while she doesn't carry the pop star power of those who came before her in recent years, she's considered different from most opera stars. She's known as "The People's Diva" - and has close ties to the New York City area, where this year's game will be played.