Monday, WWE confirmed that multi-platinum girl group Fifth Harmony will perform “America The Beautiful” at WrestleMania 32. Emanating from the AT&T Stadium on April 3, the event is being billed as the biggest in WWE’s history.
Upon doing so, the quintet will join an impressive list of celebrity artists who have opened WrestleMania with a rendition of the patriotic song.
That list includes Ray Charles (WrestleMania 2), Aretha Franklin (WrestleMania 3, 23), Gladys Knight (WrestleMania 4), Little Richard (WrestleMania 10), Boyz II Men (WrestleMania 15), Ashanti (WrestleMania 19), Michelle Williams (WrestleMania 22), John Legend (WrestleMania 24), Nicole Scherzinger (WrestleMania 25), Fantasia Barrino (WrestleMania 26), Keri Hilson (WrestleMania 27), and Aloe Blacc (WrestleMania 31).
WWE has occasionally given the slot to non-musical celebrities. WWE ring announcer — and talented singer Lillian Garcia — has performed the iconic song at multiple WrestleMania events. Special Olympian Kathy Huey sang “America The Beautiful” at WrestleMania 11, while The Boys Choir Of Harlem performed the song at WrestleMania 20.
While “America The Beautiful” has been the go-to song selection over the years, there has occasionally been some divergence. Robert Goulet sang “O Canada” at the Toronto-hosted WrestleMania 6, while Willie Nelson sang “God Bless America” at WrestleMania 7. Reba McEntire performed “The Star Spangled Banner” at WrestleMania 8.
The ultimate takeaway, however, is simple. Fifth Harmony will be following in some mighty footsteps on April 3.