Jordin Sparks Set to Perform National Anthem at 110th Indianapolis 500

Grammy-nominated singer and actress Jordin Sparks will perform the national anthem before the start of the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, race organizers announced Thursday.

The performance will mark Sparks’s third time singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the famed racing event after previous appearances in 2015 and 2024, according to a release from INDYCAR.

“Jordin knows how important the national anthem performance is to the pre-race ceremonies of the Indianapolis 500, and we have been moved by her two previous renditions,” J. Douglas Boles said in a statement released by INDYCAR. “This year’s performance will be a special moment as we mark the 250th birthday of our nation and prepare for another incredible edition of the world’s greatest race.”

Sparks first rose to national prominence in 2007 after becoming the youngest winner in the history of American Idol at age 17. Since then, the Arizona-born entertainer has built a career spanning music, film, television, and Broadway. Her singles have collectively sold more than 10 million digital tracks in the United States, while her songwriting credits include co-writing The Way, the hit single recorded by Ariana Grande.

Over the course of her career, Sparks has received two Grammy nominations along with honors such as two BET Awards, an American Music Award, and a People’s Choice Award. In 2023, she earned Grammy, Billboard, and Dove Award nominations for the No. 1 single “Love Me Like I Am,” recorded with FOR KING + COUNTRY.

Beyond music, Sparks has also established herself in theater and film. She made her Broadway debut in “In the Heights” and later returned to the stage in 2019 as the lead in the Tony Award-winning musical “Waitress.” Her film credits include starring opposite Whitney Houston in the 2012 musical drama “Sparkle.”

Sparks also has toured with artists including Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Jonas Brothers, New Kids on the Block, and Backstreet Boys.

The Indianapolis 500 has long featured nationally recognized performers during its pre-race ceremonies. Sparks joins a recent lineup of anthem singers that has included artists from multiple music genres, such as Natalie Grant, Kelly Clarkson, Jordan Fisher, and Jimmie Allen.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced this week that reserved seating for the race has sold out. According to the track, the venue’s grandstand capacity is estimated at 275,000, while overall attendance for the event has historically approached 350,000 spectators.