Super Bowl National Anthem 2012 Pressure Higher Than Ever for Kelly Clarkson

Singing in front of 100 million people has never been more nerve-wracking.

Kelly Clarkson can thank the development of social media for an audience that will not only notice if she screws up on live television, but they’ll spread the word. YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are a successful performer’s best friend and a shaky performer’s worst nightmare.

Even before Clarkson utters "Oh say can you see," she’ll begin to trend on Twitter. Whether she chokes or not, hundreds will be primed to upload a video of her bellowing the national anthem onto YouTube literally seconds after she finishes "and the home of the Brave."

And if she does make a mistake, there will be no mercy.

Videos will become viral thanks to clips being rapidly spread throughout the Twittersphere. People bummed out about their favorite team not playing in the Super Bowl and looking for an excuse to make fun of someone will roast Clarkson so much that they’ll miss the entire first quarter of play.

A gaffe will be shared over and over again on Facebook as well, where even more mocking will occur.

Now, let’s just say if that trio of social media websites were as popular as they are today when Carl Lewis butchered the national anthem; he would’ve been clowned for weeks.

As a former American Idol winner, though, Clarkson isn’t exactly a stranger to massive audiences and nearly unbearable pressure. The pop artist has been active for about a decade. While that extensive experience doesn’t guarantee that Clarkson will be cool, calm and collected on the gridiron, I wouldn’t bet money that she has to say, “Uh oh, I’ll make up for it now.”

But if she does, or even simply forgets a line, Clarkson better be able to laugh at herself because everyone else, without a heart, will be.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels