Get Ready For Usher! Super Bowl LVIII speaks with Pregame and Halftime Performers
Las Vegas, NV – It was a stage filled with big stars who addressed the media and the world during a press conference amid Super Bowl XVIII Week at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
For the 2024 Super Bowl, the artists for the Pregame and Halftime shows spoke to the media, including Reba McEntire, who will perform the National Anthem; Post Malone, set to sing “God Bless America”; Audra Day, who will perform the black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing”; and Usher, the halftime show performer.
The press conference for the Pregame and Halftime shows, presented by Apple Music, was streamed live on Apple Music and several other outlets.
McEntire expressed her love for the city and her excitement to be part of the first Super Bowl there. “I have never sung the national anthem at the Super Bowl. I am honored beyond words to be chosen to sing it. It means that I get to sing a very special song for all Americans, people all around the world who have really worked so hard for our freedom and to give us peace,” she said.
“I’ve been singing the national anthem in the shower, when we get in the car. Rex, my boyfriend, is a huge football fan, played all sports when he was going to school. And, so, he’ll say, ‘OK, sing it one more time.’ I’ll say, ‘I think I know the words real good right now, so I’m all right,'” she added.
Post Malone admitted he’s feeling nervous ahead of his Super Bowl 2024 performance at Allegiant Stadium.
The singer, who will be putting his spin on “America the Beautiful” during Sunday’s pregame show, made the revelation while performing at The One Party by Uber in Sin City Friday night.
“We rehearsed for the Super Bowl today,” Malone, 28, exclaimed on stage at the exclusive bash, held at the posh BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
“And I’m scared.”
“More than anything it’s an honor, it’s exciting,” Day said about “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. “I kinda reference, my mom and I were talking about it the other day. And she said you know ultimately this song is a hymn. And I’m like it is, it’s a hymn of triumph you know.”
“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” Usher said.
“I don’t have this moment myself,” Usher said. “All the fans that are praying with me, each and every person that had anything to do with the music, the creativity. Everybody is part of this celebratory moment.”
Usher, who will be the first independent artist to perform at a halftime show, said it was a challenge to squeeze his 30-year discography into a 13-minute performance. He plans to showcase his past, present, and future for the 65,000 fans in attendance and millions watching worldwide.
Usher, who won’t be paid for the performance, released his new Coming Home album on February 9th. His performance Sunday will likely boost his music streaming statistics and concert ticket sales.
“I will be up until this day the only independent artist who has ever performed the Super Bowl halftime show,” Usher said.
“I think I have a catalog that obviously speaks for itself, so to be able to celebrate on that day, it’s obviously about football, but everybody really anticipates the performance,” Usher said. Seeing Michael Jackson perform and recently seeing Snoop [Dogg] and [Dr.] Dre … seeing so many incredible performances like Prince… it has always been kind of a bucket list.”
Jay-Z handpicked Usher for the performance. Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has executive produced the show since partnering with the NFL in 2019.
“Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he’s been charting his own unique course. Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul,” Jay-Z said in a statement. “His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.”
“So this is the beginning.” Usher said. “This is a new beginning for me.”
Super Bowl LVIII will kick off at 6:30 p.m. EST Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. The game will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
