Usher Takes Center Stage at Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show
Las Vegas is gearing up for a star-studded Super Bowl LVIII halftime show headlined by none other than Usher. While football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, music fans are in for a treat with an unforgettable performance from the eight-time Grammy winner.
Usher's involvement in the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show was initially revealed in September, marking a significant moment for the artist. Expressing his excitement, Usher stated, "It's an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can't wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they've seen from me before."
In an interview on CBS "Sunday Morning," Usher shared his sentiments about the monumental opportunity, emphasizing how playing at the Super Bowl has been a dream throughout his professional journey. "You know, everybody says they want to win a Grammy, or they want to win an Oscar, or a Tony, or an Emmy. A Super Bowl is something that everybody wants to play," he expressed. "And here it is. It happened."
Reflecting on his successful Las Vegas residency, Usher acknowledged the historical significance, particularly for African American performers. He highlighted the contrast of the past, where they couldn't go through casinos, to the present moment, calling it a whirlwind experience.
Usher also revealed advice he received from JAY-Z, the Super Bowl's live music entertainment strategist. "He left it to me to, you know, make sure that I didn't miss the culture. That's the one thing that he said. 'You know, we're doing this for the culture,'" Usher shared. "'I want you to play the ones that we — that we love, that we know you for. Give 'em the moments that they, you know, look forward to seeing,' like, 'Go for the culture.' And I'm like, 'All right, I got you.'"
Adding to the diversity of the performance, Shaheem Sanchez will present an American Sign Language rendition of the halftime show. Initially, Tiësto was announced as the "first in-game DJ" for the Super Bowl, but recent reports indicate his withdrawal due to an undisclosed family matter.
While the NFL has yet to confirm additional artists joining Usher on stage, anticipation for the Super Bowl halftime show continues to build. Usher previously made a guest appearance during the Black Eyed Peas' halftime show in 2011. The Super Bowl LVIII promises an unforgettable musical spectacle for viewers worldwide.