Super Bowl LIII: Gladys Knight praised for 'masterful' national anthem performance

Gladys Knight delivered a superb rendition of the national anthem ahead of Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta on Sunday evening, and she was praised on social media following her performance.

The 74-year-old soul singer, who is from Atlanta, confidently sang her way through "the Star Spangled Banner" to cheers from the crowd. Fellow Atlanta natives, Chloe x Halle, sang "America the Beautiful" before Knight's performance.

Knight's delivery of the national anthem won her many accolades on social media immediately after she sang her triumphant last note.

See photos from her performance:

"Gladys Knight still has it," one person tweeted. "GLADYS KNIGHT!!!!!!!!! JUST DID THAT!!!!!!!! She’s 74!!!!" another user exclaimed.

Others called her old-school rendition "masterful," "great," "superb" and "classic."

"Why does anyone else ever sing the national anthem when Gladys Knight can just do it every time?" someone asked.

"Good thing the roof was open. Gladys Knight would have just taken it off this place," another user tweeted. "Well done."

Others were happy that there were no technical flaws, flubs or forgetfulness that have plagued past performers of the national anthem.

Ahead of her performance on Sunday, the "Empress of Soul" defended her decision to appear at the Super Bowl despite criticism on social media from supporters of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his decision to kneel in protest during the National Anthem.

"I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good," she said in a statement. "I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country’s anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl."