The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a star-studded event that left fans buzzing. From breathtaking performances to disappointing acts, the show had it all. Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst moments, as ranked by viewers.
The Best Performances
SZA Steals the Show
Grammy Award winner SZA brought her magic to the stage, performing alongside headliner Kendrick Lamar. Her soulful performance captivated the audience and earned widespread praise. Fans took to social media to express their admiration, with one saying, “SZA is sooo beautiful and sings like an angel.” Another added, “SZA is amazing everywhere she goes!”
Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty’s Patriotic Duet
Christian singer Lauren Daigle and renowned trombonist Trombone Shorty teamed up to perform “America the Beautiful.” Their collaboration left a positive impression on viewers, with one fan commenting, “Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty were great together.” Another called it “a fun performance,” while others simply said, “It was great.”
The Worst Performances
Kendrick Lamar’s Disappointing Headline Act
Announced as the halftime headliner in September 2024, Kendrick Lamar’s performance fell short of expectations for many fans. Critics called it dull and disorganized, with one blunt viewer stating, “Kendrick Lamar breaks the record for the worst halftime show ever.” Others criticized his lack of stage presence, with one fan saying, “It felt more like a party with a bunch of people randomly dancing.”
Jon Batiste’s Controversial National Anthem
Jon Batiste’s rendition of the national anthem faced backlash for straying from the traditional tune. Viewers expressed their disappointment online, with one Facebook user writing, “The national anthem should be sung in its original tune.” Others called it “terrible” and “horrible,” with one fan adding, “Way to butcher a song.”
A Night of Highs and Lows
The Super Bowl LIX halftime show delivered a mix of unforgettable moments and controversial performances. While artists like SZA and Lauren Daigle earned acclaim, others, including Kendrick Lamar and Jon Batiste, faced sharp criticism.
The event sparked lively discussions among fans, proving that the Super Bowl is as much about the entertainment as it is about the game. Whether loved or loathed, the performances left a lasting impression, giving fans plenty to talk about long after the final whistle.
The NFL ‘immediately’ sent a letter of apology to Lil Wayne after announcing last year that Kendrick Lamar had been chosen to perform the Super Bowl halftime show.
Lil Wayne was denied the chance to headline this year’s halftime show in New Orleans, a move which sparked outrage given his famous association with the Big Easy – where he was born and raised.
And to add to the controversy, Kendrick’s performance at the Superdome was heavily criticized by viewers who were left underwhelmed on Sunday night
The Not Like Us rapper, who included his famous diss track about bitter rival Drake, was slammed for putting on ‘the worst halftime show ever’ as fans made their displeasure known.
Prior to Sunday’s show, sports commentator Skip Bayless expressed his anger that Lil Wayne had been snubbed for the New Orleans gig, while claiming the NFL issued an apology to him back in September after offering it to Kendrick.
Bayless, who is good friends with Lil Wayne, said on his YouTube show: ‘The NFL immediately sent Wayne a letter of apology. From nobody in particular, just from the league on NFL letterhead.
The NFL sent a letter of apology to Lil Wayne after not inviting him to perform at the Super Bowl
‘A letter that thanked him for his years of supporting the league, not just the Packers, his favorite team, but supporting and promoting the NFL, in general, which he has.
‘I mean, he makes weekly appearances on the NFL’s Sunday pregame show, ‘NFL GameDay Morning’ on the NFL Network. But he will not play Sunday’s halftime show, and he definitely won’t watch a second of Sunday’s halftime show.
‘He will watch the game, just not the halftime show. Not one second.’
Bayless also revealed that the snub had a devastating effect on Lil Wayne, who was struggling to cope with the setback.
What did you think of the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show? Share your thoughts in the comments below!