This year’s Super Bowl halftime show was announced. We’re looking back at the Super Bowl halftime performers club Usher is joining. To be selected or even considered to perform in the middle of the biggest game in the world with the whole world watching is one of the biggest honors an artist can receive. How are artists selected though?
Halftime Performer Selection Process
The artist selection process comes with a lot of pressure on the NFL due to its massive popularity. Some of the key factors they take into play when deciding include an artist’s overall performance, popularity, and musical genre. The NFL then builds a shortlist of popular artists who have broad appeal. It’s in fact the town hosting the big game that makes the final selection from that list according to Betus.com. On a stage of this magnitude, this has to be a huge payday for the artist, right?
Do Super Bowl Halftime Performers Get Paid?
I’ve always heard that the artists don’t get paid so I went to Yahoo Sports and did some research. It’s true. Rihanna didn’t get paid last year, nor did Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and even Michael Jackson back in the early 90s. The NFL does however cover any and all expenses needed to put the show on, as well as all travel costs. The artist can still expect to make money from their performance through streams and album purchases. Even though they know perform for free, artists have actually performed at multiple halftime shows.
Are Super Bowl Halftime Performers Invited Back?
There have only been a small handful of artists who have had the honor to perform at the halftime show multiple times. Justin Timberlake has performed three times. The 2001 halftime show was his first one when he was with N’SYNC. In 2004 he joined Janet Jackson on stage which is when the infamous “Wardrobe Malfuntion” happened. In 2018 he was the headlining act. Bruno Mars was the main act in 2014. Two years later he joined Coldplay and Beyonce on stage for a very energetic halftime show. Beyonce also headlined in 2013.
It’s Usher’s Time Now
I’m happy Usher was selected to perform at this year’s halftime show. If you’re a millennial like me who’s been consuming pop culture since the fifth grade then the nostalgia feeling it’s definitely there. I think he’ll bring a lot of energy and swag to the performance. It’ll be nice to see him back in the spotlight. Also, the game will be in Las Vegas this year so you never know who else will show up! This year’s Super Bowl halftime show was announced. We’re looking back at the Super Bowl halftime performers club Usher is joining.
