In addition to Beam’s role, Deaf performer Julian Ortiz will sign America the Beautiful with Brandi Carlile. In a historic first, Celimar Rivera Cosme will sign the entire Apple Music Halftime Show in Puerto Rican Sign Language during Bad Bunny’s headlining performance. All signed performances are presented with Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality, the NFL confirmed.
The NFL’s announcement also highlighted the involvement of top musical talent, with Roc Nation’s Desiree Perez commenting, “Charlie, Brandi, and Coco are generational talents, and we are honored to have them — alongside our extraordinary deaf performers — on Super Bowl LX’s world stage.” The statement was reported by CBS Sports.
Beam’s background reflects decades of advocacy and groundbreaking work in the arts and education. Born in Covington, Georgia, and raised in Tampa, he became deaf at age three from chickenpox and high fever, and navigated mainstream classrooms without an interpreter before the ADA era.
Beyond performance, Beam has long championed accessibility and Black Deaf culture. He co-founded the Wild Zappers, the first all-deaf male dance company, directed by Beam for over two decades, and has served in leadership roles with the National Black Deaf Advocates. He has also developed educational theater programs and taught math for more than 30 years, underscoring a career dedicated to art, education, and advocacy.
