Super Bowl 58 needed a refresh after a dour first half display between the Chiefs and 49ers.
Fortunately, there was at least one performer who embraced the Sin City spotlight.
For some 14 minutes, Usher crooned, pranced and dazzled his way into the hearts of spectators, reminding people just how many hits he has in his closet.
The eight-time Grammy winner performed a wide array of hits, some from his days as a fresh-faced teenager, others during his late 2000s resurgence.
He had plenty of help for the occasion. Some of Usher's closest collaborators made cameos during his set list, including Lil' Jon, Ludacris, Will.I.Am and H.E.R.
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Much like his idols — Michael Jackson and Prince — Usher got a chance to get his name up in lights. He made the most of it Sunday night, too, adding to his legacy as one of his generation's finest entertainers.
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The Sporting News tracked live updates from Sunday's Super Bowl 58 halftime show. Scroll below for highlights, reviews and more as Usher cemented his legacy under the glittering Allegiant Stadium lights.
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Usher mimicked his idol, the late Michael Jackson, strutting into the proceedings with a glimmering white glove.
Usher pays tribute to Michael Jackson at the #Superbowl with his moves, iconic single white glove and “Can You Feel It“ sample. pic.twitter.com/BdeIj6t479
— MJ Access (@AccessMJ) February 12, 2024
That wasn't all for the 45-year old, though. Partway through his performance, he swapped glowing white sequins for black-and-blue ones. He paired them with roller skates, racing across the platform like a young Connor McDavid.
Usher’s Custom OFF-WHITE Superbowl Look!🖤 pic.twitter.com/x9XnYD0qRV
— Outlander Magazine (@StreetFashion01) February 12, 2024
usher performing ‘OMG’ on skates #superbowl
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
pic.twitter.com/kf93Hsg8gt
Ultimately, though, it was about the music. And it was with the mic in his hand that Usher truly shined. Nostalgia swept over the Allegiant Stadium concourses as the R&B supernova delivered hit after hit after hit. "Yeah!"? Check. "My Boo?" You bet. "Confessions Pt. II?" Obviously.
By and large, it seemed as if onlookers were more than appreciative of his offering.
😂 When You Go To The Super Bowl & See Usher and you got to let them know!!! #SuperBowl #Usher pic.twitter.com/MWuqRV16NU
— Desi Banks (@iamdesibanks) February 12, 2024
Usher did his thing fr 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/HAxWoLWQ5N
— RDCworld (@RDCworld1) February 12, 2024
Usher ripped his shirt off, roller skated on stage, killed it with iconic songs, and just doing the MOST AND loved every moment of it. What a performance!! pic.twitter.com/WhaaSOveYi
— CJ Johnson (@cjjohnsonjr) February 12, 2024
usher my GOAT, but i cant stop laughing at my man pulling this move out at the super bowl pic.twitter.com/jgPgHmt7k2
— holmes (@charlesxholmes) February 12, 2024
usher, lil jon, and ludacris being together again literally felt like the avengers assembling for the first time in a decade pic.twitter.com/plzVd4gz2U
— rocky (@WAYSTIAR) February 12, 2024
Super Bowl 2024 halftime show live updates
8:36 p.m.:It had to end with "Yeah!", didn't it? Lil' Jon and Ludacris offering their services alongside the R&B icon. Luda has got his hair flowing like it's the early-2000s. A fitting conclusion to an impressive showcase.
usher perfoming the classic ‘YEAH’ with lil jon and ludacris 20 years later #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/nGEsjPfIzV
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
8:33 p.m.:A slew of Usher's homies are on site. Jermaine Dupri just popped his head in to greet the crowd. Then, H.E.R. came through to deliver a stirring guitar solo.
Usher & H.E.R. - Super Bowl - 2024 pic.twitter.com/UMgZ9jBt0f
— 3030 (@jose3030) February 12, 2024
That was then followed by the aging Will. I. Am. (who knew he was even making music nowadays?) to rock the house during "OMG."
usher performing ‘OMG’ on skates #superbowl
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
pic.twitter.com/kf93Hsg8gt
8:31 p.m.:And another one! "Let it Burn" is the next selection.
8:30 p.m.:Another Confessions banger coming up, this time the title track.
8:29 p.m.:Next up is "My Boo". A seamless transition, it must be said.
usher and alicia keys performing ‘my boo’ at the #superbowl pic.twitter.com/l9XfOOv3BK
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
8:28 p.m.:Alicia Keys has just taken the stage! And she's killing it, performing "If I Ain't Got You" in a duet with Usher. I'm moved.
alicia keys singing the classic ‘if i ain’t got you’ at the #SuperBowl
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 12, 2024
pic.twitter.com/cS6X4JIGOt
8:26 p.m.:Looks like Usher is opting against the lip sync. Much to the chagrin of Darren Rovell, it seems.
Sounds like they forgot the lip sync part of Usher’s performance.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 12, 2024
8:24 p.m.:Here we go! Usher's on the stage! And he's looking fabulous!
8:20 p.m.:We are locked in! (Fun fact: Usher actually released his first major single, "Call Me a Mack", on thePoetic Justicesoundtrack!)
Usher fans pulling up to the Super Bowl party for the halftime show pic.twitter.com/yOKlGXwjam
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) February 12, 2024
8:14 p.m.:The first half just came to a close. San Francisco holds a 10-3 lead. Most importantly, though, we're on the cusp of another Usher masterpiece (hopefully)!
8:08 p.m.:31 seconds left on the clock. We're about five minutes from Usher, I reckon.
8:00 p.m.:Another superstar looking forward to tonight's performance? None other than famed Italian-American comedian Danny DeVito.
Enjoying a “Jersey Mikes #12” waiting for the kick off!!! Usher baby!!!
— Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) February 11, 2024
1:22 left in the second frame. We're probably ~10 minutes away from Usher taking the stage.
7:55 p.m.:We're only two (in-game) minutes away! The anticipation is killing me!
It’s almost #Usher Bowl time. pic.twitter.com/CF4UHwVtZ2
— mega (@_thinkmega) February 12, 2024
7:35 p.m.:The internet works quickly. Just moments after Travis Kelce went viral for a kerfuffle he instigated with head coach Andy Reid, Twitter got a hang of it.
Me when Usher doesn’t bring out Justin Bieber #SuperBowl #SuperBowlLVIII pic.twitter.com/NTRwuOOKiA
— Alex (@alexr_241) February 12, 2024
7:30 p.m.:Sister, sister! Looks like Tia Mowery is one of us! The daytime television host had her say about Usher's showcase...and the football game that sandwiches it.
tuning in to the Usher concert (the Super Bowl) 😂
— Tia Mowry (@TiaMowry) February 11, 2024
7:15 p.m.:We're through the first 15 minutes in Las Vegas. Still knotted up at 0-0. However, who really cares? We're here for one thing and one thing only. And we can all relate to how Adele was feeling in this clip just about now.
Waiting patiently for Usher like: #SuperBowl #SuperBowl2024 pic.twitter.com/MLMPhqsU4p
— 💜🖤 (@Es1_Violet) February 12, 2024
6:50 p.m.:Another dignitary is throwing his support for the 45-year old R&B darling: Elmo. The furry red dynamo served up some positive words for his comrade on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
Elmo is sending a big hug to Mr. @Usher! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KGB1OOFA2J
— Elmo (@elmo) February 11, 2024
6:40 p.m.:Usher will have his work cut out for him. Not only will he be expected to put on a showcase in front of the masses. He'll also have to compete with a certain Peter Griffin for the honor of best showman.
beat that halftime show @usher 😏 #superbowl pic.twitter.com/322QkqPQ7E
— Family Guy (@FamilyGuyonFOX) February 11, 2024
6:10 p.m.:It's all in the details for Usher, whose shawl features a portrait of Black Jesus.
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 11, 2024There goes my baby 🎵 Which @usher song are you most excited to hear at halftime? 👇
Read @amykinla’s latest dispatch on #Traylor / #Tayvis / #Swelce now: https://t.co/PChRlzQBIF
5:50 p.m.:Usher is in the building. The eight-time Grammy Award winner was caught strutting into Allegiant Stadium in a shawl-like garment.
.@USHER IS HERE. #AppleMusicHalftime #SBLVIII@AppleMusic @RocNation pic.twitter.com/LVxoWVSPUL
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2024
5:40 p.m.:As a reminder, Usher won't be paid for tonight's performance. However, he likely won't be too bothered. Super Bowl halftime showcases tend to be accompanied by a major boost in the performing artist's sales. With a new album just released, expect Usher to see some serious aftershocks in terms of streaming numbers.
5:30 p.m.:Those attending Sunday's contest will be receiving a lanyard spotlighted with Usher's image, one that will flash during the R&B starlet's halftime show.
Every seat at stadium has an Usher lanyard that will light up during halftime show. pic.twitter.com/EwIn3Vo5Ia
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) February 11, 2024
How to watch Usher in the Super Bowl 58 halftime show
- TV channel (national):CBS
- Live stream:Paramount+,fubo,DAZN (Canada)
The Super Bowl 58 halftime show will be broadcast on CBS following the end of the second quarter of the 49ers vs. Chiefs' clash. Cord-cutters can find the action on Paramount+ or fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Super Bowl halftime show start time
- 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. local time(approximate time)
With Super Bowl 58 starting at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time), halftime should be ~8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time).
It's an inexact science, admittedly. NFL games are fairly unpredictable, with various stoppages scuppering the flow of the game.
Still, if you're wanting to view Usher's showcase in its entirety, you're better off flocking to the television around 8 o'clock ET. That's around when the football should cease, if only for a fleeting moment.
MORE:Projecting Usher's Super Bowl halftime show setlist
How long is the Super Bowl halftime show?
The halftime is usually about 15-20 minutes long, so the performance should be roughly 10 songs, some truncated and remixed.
Rihanna's halftime show at last year's Super Bowl lasted 13 minutes, for comparison.
