Claudia Williamson

The Super Bowl Halftime show is one of the most watched performances every year, but some performances leave us wishing for more.

Every year, people eagerly anticipate the Super Bowl, regardless of which teams are playing, drawn in by the exciting entertainment it delivers. Between the game itself, the creative commercials, and the halftime show performers, there is always some sort of excitement to keep viewers engaged. One of the most exciting parts of the Super Bowl is the halftime performers, as the artist changes every year. Some of the most memorable artists have been Rihanna, Usher, and Kendrick Lamar, among many others. Although there have been countless performances over the years, some have stood out more than others.

The Super Bowl halftime show allows artists to give an unforgettable performance and leave their mark on music history. At the top of my list is Rihanna, whose 2023 performance was truly incredible. From her flawless choreography to her pregnancy reveal, Rihanna’s production blew fans out of the water and set a very high standard for future halftime performances. Following closely behind are Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, whose 2020 performance brought an immense amount of energy and powerful cultural representation. Their bond was especially evident through the energy they poured into the production, creating one of the most empowering halftime shows in history.

Other iconic performances still deserve recognition despite not reaching the heights of my other top performance picks. Katy Perry’s 2015 show was very eccentric and creative, as she even rode a giant mechanical lion for her popular song “Roar.” Kendrick Lamar performed at the most recent halftime show and even brought out another artist, SZA. His production was very creative, and it sent a strong political message, but it didn’t exactly blow it out of the water or set any new standards. Usher’s 2024 show was smooth and stylish but lacked the dramatics of some of the other top performers. Finally, Justin Timberlake’s 2018 halftime show. It was honestly the most boring show I’ve seen; sitting through it was a challenge. It didn’t offer enough excitement and even the audience didn’t seem to love it. While not all these shows were the worst, they didn’t have the lasting impact of being the best.

In the end, the Super Bowl halftime show is a unique platform where artists can exhibit their talents and also perform very entertaining performances that they may have never done if it wasn’t for the Super Bowl. While some artists like Rihanna and the duo of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez set new standards with their unforgettable performances, others, though still impressive, didn’t quite reach the same level of impact. Nevertheless, the Super Bowl halftime show continues to be a one-of-a-kind performance, no matter the performer. Whether it be breathtaking visuals, surprise guests, or standout moments that become engraved in pop culture history forever, each performance leaves its own legacy.