Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Spectacle: Fashion, Tribute, and Surprises

The Super Bowl LVIII halftime show on Feb. 11 was a fantastical mix of sparkly fashion and behind-the-scenes madness. 

Photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez

Usher, who has been in the music industry for 30-plus years, headlined the show along with several celebrity personalities, including his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Keys, H.E.R, will.i.am, Ludacris, and Lil Jon. The performance itself was a wonderful showcase of the many hits over his own successful R&B/pop career and paid homage to past iconic performances from other artists throughout. 

The fashion on display the entire routine was immaculate. Multiple outfits inspired from past Met Gala events made an appearance, showcasing those worn by Zendaya and Rihanna, plus an ode to the iconic one-glove fashion of Michael Jackson.

Usher explained on the talk show “Good Morning America” that he intended for his performance to honor the struggles that Black music artists of the past have faced.

“I think about what our country has kind of represented for Black artists,” he said. “You know, having to at some point go through kitchens to even be able to perform for an audience, but they had to leave back through that same door, fear for their lives as they went to the next state to do the same thing.”

Usher has heavily stressed how much he had to compress his career showcase into the 13-minute Super Bowl block he was given. Many elements of his time in the music industry he wanted to show off had to be cut because of that time limit, and there were availability conflicts with prominent people linked to his career, such as Justin Bieber, whom he mentored at the beginning of the former teen idol’s rise.

Since Feb. 11 a lot of interest has also kicked up around the intimate performance between Usher and Keys, as Usher and his new wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, were officially married on the very same day.

Despite the physical closeness during the romantic duet the former couple performed, it appears that both Usher and Jennifer are more than happy together now celebrating their wedding, their children, and the once-in-a-lifetime platform Usher has been dreaming of. 

According to his interview with CBS, Usher had to keep his whole performance a secret from his children for months, but said he wasn’t too upset by this as “You don’t get a chance to surprise your kids that often anymore” and that the reveal felt like Christmas across the board. 

All in all, I believe his performance was one for the Hall of Fame and I and many others are eagerly waiting to see his next move.