Usher, together with his longtime friends and colleagues Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Will.i.am, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, and Ludacris, transformed Allegiant Stadium into his playground during his mesmerizing 13-minute performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show.
Amidst a throng of stars that included Paul McCartney, Martha Stewart, Fat Joe, Kelly Clarkson, Jimmy Kimmel, and Justin Bieber—who was reported to be involved in the halftime show—Usher, dressed in his Dolce & Gabbana ensemble, romped about the circular platform surrounded by ramps and lights.
Usher began his performance on the field, a band set up behind him, dumping a regal white coat and launching into “Caught Up.” He swiveled his hips to the stage, under the shadow of blue-feathered Las Vegas showgirls.”We succeeded! This is for you now. Usher said.
During the performance’s slow jam segment, he showcased his shimmering voice on “Love in This Club,” but he eventually gave way to Keys, who was playing a ruby-red piano and wearing a scarlet jumpsuit. Her song “If I Ain’t Got You” transitioned into a duet with Usher called “My Boo,” culminating in a tender hug between the two of them.Usher, whose 30-year career he had to fit into less time than a football quarter, naturally resorted to a medley for “Confessions,” “Nice & Slow,” and “Burn,” with the stadium lit up in amber and pictures of flames licking the screens ringing the building. Usher may have worn one white glove as a tribute to his idol, Michael Jackson.
