Ellie Rose, Nate Smith to Perform at Orange Bowl CFP Semifinal

Young musical theater star Ellie Rose and country music sensation Nate Smith will take center stage at the Orange Bowl, performing the national anthem and halftime show, respectively, ahead of the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Penn State Nittany Lions. The game is set for Thursday, Jan. 9, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Ellie Rose, a 14-year-old Broadway National Tour star known for her role in ‘Annie,’ will sing the national anthem. Despite her young age, Rose has already performed the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ for major sports teams, including the Florida Panthers, Miami Marlins, and Denver Broncos. Her performance at the Orange Bowl marks another milestone in her burgeoning career.

Nate Smith, a 39-year-old country music artist, will headline the halftime show. Smith gained fame during the COVID-19 pandemic when his song ‘Wildfire’ went viral on TikTok. Since then, he has released two successful albums, with singles like ‘Whiskey on You’ and ‘World on Fire’ topping the US Country Airplay charts. Smith has also collaborated with notable artists such as Lee Brice and Avril Lavigne.

The Orange Bowl semifinal, part of the CFP, will feature the No. 5-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1) against the No. 4-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2). The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. Fans can also stream the game online through platforms like Sling TV, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

Tickets for the game are still available on platforms such as StubHub and SeatGeek, with discounts available using promo codes like VARIETY150 and VARIETY300. The event promises to be a thrilling matchup, with both teams vying for a spot in the CFP National Championship game later in January.