The Most Unforgettable Super Bowl Performances Of All Time
Last night, Usher had arguably one of the most career-defining moments of his life at the 2024 Super Bowl, as the star took to the stage to perform a medley of his hits at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas during the game's infamous halftime show.
Featuring cameos from several of his collaborators, including Alicia Keys, Ludacris H.E.R, the artist performed 'Yeah!', 'OMG' and 'You Make Me Wanna...' as he also seemingly paid homage to Michael Jackson during his performance by wearing a singular white glove, as Jackson was known to do. In an interview with the New York Post, Usher confirmed that the late star had been an influence on his own anticipated performance at the football game.
'He [Jackson] absolutely revolutionised the experience like no other. He changed how people perceived the halftime show,' Usher said.
In honour of Usher's performance, we take a look back at the sporting event's most iconic shows:
Lady Gaga, 2017
Lady Gaga's made her most show-stopping appearance to date at the 2017 Super Bowl – a performance that saw her jump off Houston's NRG stadium, open with Woody Guthrie's civil rights anthem 'This Land Is Your Land' as a gentle dig at the Trump administration, and an epic stage dive into the crowd – and saw her cement her name on the list of the most memorable halftime performers of all time.
Katy Perry, 2015
A giant mechanical lion, dancing sharks that instantly started trending, Lenny Kravitz in leather and an impromptu appearance from Miss Elliott – Perry's halftime performance is one of the most-watched shows in history, with 118.5 million viewers.
Beyoncé, 2013
It started with a crowd of fans running onto the pitch and ended with the the arrival of her fellow Destiny's Child members, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, taking to the stage to perform 'Boootytlicious', 'Independent Women' and 'Single Ladies'.
It was everything you could want from a Super Bowl performance, and more.
Madonna, 2012
Featuring LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., Madonna showed she was still the Queen of pop music during her Super Bowl performance, with renditions of her most iconic hits such as 'Vogue' and 'Music'.
At the end of her show, Cee Lo Green joined the star on stage with a marching band for 'Express Yourself' and 'Like A Prayer'.
The show ended with 'World Peace' on the stadium's ground with an image of the world's continents.
Janet Jackson, 2004
The performance that coined the phrase 'nipplegate', saw several of pop music's biggest stars – including Kid Rock, Nelly, P.Diddy and Justin Timberlake – come together for one of the most controversial Super Bowl performances of all time is one of the most talked-about shows to date.
After all, who can forget when Timberlake neared the end of his duet of 'Rock You Body' and 'accidentally' tore of a piece of Jackson's bustier to reveal her pierced nipple, later revealed to be a 'wardrobe malfunction'?
Oh, how we miss the Noughties.
Michael Jackson, 1993
Standing still for almost two minutes at the beginning of his performance, Jackson lapped up the applause and cheers from the crown before gracing them with a set list that included 'Jam', 'Billie Jean' and 'Black And White'.
We're already looking forward to next year.
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