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25 Sep 2023

Usher Has Waited His ‘Entire Life’ to Play Super Bowl Halftime: ‘I’m Not Coming to Disappoint’

Usher was announced as the performer for the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday, and he’s ready to give the performance of a lifetime.

Following the news of the “Yeah!” singer’s halftime show, Usher spoke with CBS Mornings on Monday (Sept. 25) and revealed that performing for the big game is something he’s hoped for since the beginning of his career.

The Grammy winner kicked off the interview by revealing the phone call he had with Jay-Z after finding out he was slated to be next year’s Super Bowl performer.

“It’s a surprise that no one in the house can know,” he shared, setting the scene. “So my kids don’t know, my mom can’t know, my brother can’t know, my family can’t know and I gotta keep this a secret. So Jay-Z calls and he’s like, ‘It’s your time. This the magic moment.’ My girlfriend is there. … I’m like, ‘It’s happening’ and she’s like ‘No way’ and he’s like ‘Way.’ The hardest part is the suspense and keeping it a surprise for that time, because my kids were like, ‘Dad, you should play the Super Bowl! There’s a petition online!’ You know what? You gotta speak these things into existence. We knew literally days before the announcement.”

Playing the Super Bowl has been a dream for Usher that he’s worked diligently to make happen. “Thirty years ago I made a commitment to offer my best, and here 30 years later, now it’s being rewarded with one of the most prestigious performances and stages anybody could ever play on,” he said.

The Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper continued, “I’m humbled by the opportunity to do that, but I’m more happy to be able to celebrate with the people I love the most and celebrate in a way that people will remember through dance, through skate, though collaborations, so it’s gonna be a night of celebration. Every aspect of what has influences me to be the artist that I am, I’m gonna try to bring that out in that moment,” noting that playing the Super Bowl “is a moment that I’ve waited my entire life for and I’m not coming to disappoint.”

While waiting for Usher to take one of the world’s biggest stages, see Billboard‘s dream setlist for his set, and vote for who you think should perform with him at the Super Bowl.

Watch Usher’s new interview in full below.

25 Sep 2023

All the Stars Who’ve Performed at Super Bowl Halftime More Than Once

When Usher plays the Super Bowl halftime show in 2024, it will mark his first time headlining, but it won’t be his first time on the halftime stage.

Back in 2011, Usher crashed the Black Eyed Peas halftime show to perform his Billboard Hot 100-topping song “OMG” alongside will.i.am, who produced the 2010 hit. For his 2011 appearance, the R&B superstar descended from the rafters of Cowboys Stadium in an all-white outfit and sunglasses to put on a master class in robotic choreography. He even wrapped up the song by jumping over will.i.am, down a flight of stairs, and landing in the splits. (If this one-song moment is any indication, we’re in for a show.)

The 2022 Super Bowl halftime show also featured a repeat performer: Mary J. Blige — who teamed up with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar at the then-brand-new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., for the first full-fledged hip-hop halftime show — took the stage with a different crew back in 2001. More than 20 years prior, Blige had joined Aerosmith, *NSYNC, Britney Spears and Nelly, with whom she performed a grand-finale performance of “Walk This Way.”

Usher and Blige are hardly the first performers to return to the halftime stage. In fact, two have even played the big game three times at this point.

Below, find all the artists who have performed at the halftime show more than once. (Note: We’re considering halftime shows in the modern era, since New Kids on the Block first took the show in a pop direction in 1991. Sorry to the Grambling State University Marching Band and Up With People.)

25 Sep 2023

Who Should Usher Bring Out to Perform With Him at the 2024 Super Bowl? Vote!

It’s official! Usher is set to headline next year’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, he announced on Sunday (Sept. 24).

“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,” the hitmaker said in a statement. “Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”

With more than 50 Billboard Hot 100 chart entries, Usher’s catalog will lend well to his Super Bowl performance, which is scheduled to take place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024. And his many collabs over the years offer plenty of opportunities for surprising guest performances during his game-day set.

Fans may be hoping for Lil Jon and Ludacris to join Usher for their 2004 smash “Yeah!” It’s no wonder why: The single stands as Usher’s most successful to date on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 1 and maintaining the top position for 12 of its 45 charting weeks on the tally.

The R&B crooner has the chance to dazzle the crowd with more club bangers, either with “OMG” with Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am, or “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull. Both tracks, released in 2010, earned him solid placements on the Hot 100, peaking at Nos. 1 and 4 respectively, and spending over 30 weeks on the all-genre chart.

Surprises may also be coming for the eight-time Grammy winner’s Super Bowl set if he decides to slow it down with a romantic throwback (“My Boo” with Alicia Keys), add more rap moments (“Lil Freak” or “She Came to Give It to You” featuring Nicki Minaj), or even shine light on his former protégé (Justin Bieber). Other huge collabs to potentially hope for? Beyonce and Lil Wayne, who featured on “Love in This Club Part 2,” and of course, Jay-Z, who appeared on “Hot Tottie.”

Who are you hoping Usher will bring out during his performance at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show? Vote in our poll below.

25 Sep 2023

Patrick Mahomes Jokes He Felt ‘Pressure’ to Help Travis Kelce Impress Taylor Swift With a Touchdown

Patrick Mahomes is officially this week’s “MVW” — Most Valuable Wingman. After learning that Taylor Swift was in attendance at Sunday night’s (Sept. 24) Chiefs vs. Bears game to watch her rumored love interest Travis Kelce in action, the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback joked that he felt extra pressure to throw the Chief’s tight end a touchdown-scoring catch so that Kelce could properly impress the pop star.

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“I heard she was in the house,” Mahomes said in a post-game interview, moments after his team secured a 41-10 victory over the Bears. “I felt a little bit of pressure. I knew I had to get [the ball] to Trav.”

Indeed, he did. About halfway through the game’s third quarter, Kelce caught a sparkling pass from Mahomes in the end zone. After the play, Swift was seen next to Kelce’s mom, Donna, banging on the glass of their private box suite and cheering.

“I think he wanted to get in the end zone just as much as all the Swifties wanted him to,” added Mahomes, when asked whether he felt extra heat from Swift’s fans to make Kelce look good.

The musician’s surprise appearance at Arrowhead Stadium adds fuel to rumors that she may be dating Kelce, who confessed in July to having a crush on her after his unsuccessful attempt to slip her his phone number at an Eras Tour concert. Last week, he told press that he had invited the “Anti-Hero” singer to attend one of his games, an offer she clearly took him up on. After the game, Swift was seen leaving the stadium with Kelce.

Later, in a press conference, Mahomes recalled the way he found out from Kelce that Swift would be making an appearance at the Chiefs-Bears game. “He told me at the last minute,” he told reporters, according to Fox Sports. “There’s some things with Trav where he kind of just says it and you don’t know if it’s true or not … He was like, ‘Yeah, I think she’s coming to the game this weekend,’ and then moved about his business.”

“Yeah, I mean she’s a pop star, she’s a tremendous singer, tremendous at everything she does,” added the quarterback. “I haven’t got to meet her but I guess if she ends up being with Travis then I will probably get to meet her at some point. She seems like a good person. Hopefully I get to meet her one day.”

Watch Patrick Mahomes weigh in on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rumored romance below:

25 Sep 2023

Bill Belichick Calls Taylor Swift the ‘Biggest Catch’ of Travis Kelce’s Career

From Swifties to NFL fans — and even coaches Bill Belichick and Andy Reid — everyone is buzzing about Taylor Swift‘s appearance at the Sunday night (Sept. 24) Chiefs-Bears game, where she was spotted passionately cheering on Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce.

Although the Chiefs secured a sweeping 41-10 victory over the Bears, commenters generally agreed that Kelce’s apparent success with Swift, whom he’s previously admitted to having a crush on, was the athlete’s biggest win of the night. Even New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick thinks so. When he was asked on The Greg Hill Show about the new “power couple in the NFL,” Belichick joked, “Travis Kelce has had a lot of big catches in his career — this would be the biggest.”

To recap: Shortly after the game began Sunday, the pop star was seen sitting in a private box suite next to Kelce’s mother, Donna, dressed in full Chiefs gear and matching red lipstick. When Kelce caught an epic touchdown thrown by Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter, cameras showed Swift jumping up and down excitedly and seemingly screaming “Let’s f–king go!” Afterward, video and photos showed that Swift left Arrowhead Stadium with Kelce, driving off in the star’s convertible.

Swift’s attendance was such a major gameday talking point that even Kelce’s own coach was asked about their rumored relationship. At a post-game press conference, Andy Reid revealed that he had previously met Swift and even quipped that he was the one who had “set them up.”

In reality, Kelce revealed in July that he had attended Swift’s Eras Tour and tried unsuccessfully at the time to slip her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it. Soon afterward, rumors emerged that the two were seeing each other, with Kelce’s brother — Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce — jokingly telling interviewers last week that the dating rumors were “one hundred percent true.”

Shortly after that, Travis revealed he had invited Swift to one of his games, adding that he “threw the ball in her court.” Clearly, she took him up on the offer.

Watch Bill Belichick and Andy Reid’s comments on #Travlor below:

25 Sep 2023

Taylor Swift Leaves With Travis Kelce After Kansas City Chiefs Game: Watch

Was Sunday a fairy tale and Travis Kelce the prince? Taylor Swift didn’t just spend Sept. 24 cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end from his suite alongside his mom, Donna, as the team played the Chicago Bears. According to Jarrett Payton, sports reporter for WGN and co-host of GN Sports, the pop superstar and NFL player left Arrowhead Stadium together after the match, which the Chiefs won 10-41.

In a video clip Payton shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Kelce and the 12-time Grammy winner are walking by him shoulder to shoulder. The NFL star nods in greeting to the anchor and asks, “How you doin’” as Tay flashes Payton a smile and says, “Heeeeey!”

“Talk about being at the right place at the right time!” Payton captioned the quick clip of the two stars together post game. “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce leaving Arrowhead together after the game. #Bears #ChiefsKingdom #NFL.”

In the short video, Swift is wearing a red-and-white Chiefs jacket tied around her waist. But she wasn’t the only one wearing the swag of a rumored love interest. Kelce wore what looked like the “1989 Bedroom Painting Set” by Kid Super. The two-piece set includes a cream and light blue denim jacket ($295) and matching pants ($285); both items are currently marked “low in stock.”

After walking out of the stadium, the twosome were spotted riding off together in his convertible, according to photos acquired by TMZ.

Neither the singer-songwriter nor pro football player have confirmed whether they’re dating — though his brother Jason Kelce, a fellow NFL player, has certainly been having fun teasing the rumored romance in various interviews. Travis himself has previously shared his interest in the star. In July, after attending The Eras Tour — also at Arrowhead Stadium — Travis revealed during an appearance on the New Heights podcast that he had tried to slip her his phone number via a friendship bracelet, but failed. “I was a little butt-hurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her,” he admitted at the time.

Then on Thursday (Sept. 21), the tight end revealed that he had invited Swift to one of his games. “I threw the ball in her court,” he said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I told her, ‘I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead.’ We’ll see what happens in the near future.”

Watch Payton’s clip of Swift and Kelce leaving Arrowhead together after his game Sunday:

24 Sep 2023

Taylor Swift Cheers On Travis Kelce at Chiefs-Bears Game at Arrowhead Stadium

Taylor Swift is watching Sunday’s Chiefs-Bears game from the comfort of Travis Kelce’s suite.

Rumors swirled on social media that Swift would be attending the Sept. 24 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears game just before kickoff, with Bleacher Report posting the tip about where she’d be seated. Rumors of a romance between the two have also been running rampant.

Cameras were quick to show Swift with Kelce’s mother as soon as the “Anti-Hero” singer was spotted. A few moments of Swift — who was wearing a Chiefs jacket and enthusiastically cheering alongside Donna Kelce — were broadcast for all to see.

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Within the first half hour of the game, Swift was shown on camera again, grabbing Donna’s arm in a reaction shot.

“In her red era,” the official NFL account on X (formerly Twitter) quipped.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed that he invited Swift to watch him play in an interview on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday. “I threw the ball in her court,” Kelce revealed. “I told her, ‘I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead.’ We’ll see what happens in the near future.”

He also addressed the amount of attention a potential relationship between the pair has already received. “It’s hilarious how much traction this has actually got. I think it’s, right now, it’s like that old game in school called ‘Telephone,’ where everybody is just whispering in each other’s ear, just hearing some random stuff,” he said.

See clips of Swift at Kelce’s game below.

21 Sep 2023

Lil Wayne, Offset, The Rock & More Stars at Deion Sanders’ Colorado Football Games

It’s prime time in Colorado as the university’s new head football coach, Deion Sanders, has led the squad to a 3-0 start and is drawing A-list talent to their games.

At Saturday’s in-state rivalry match-up between Colorado and Colorado State, Sanders — also known as Coach Prime — welcomed Lil Wayne, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Offset, Master P and Key Glock on the sidelines, and retired NFL star Rob Gronkowski hosted a pre-game party outside the stadium. Weezy kicked off the double-overtime win with a pre-game performance of “Uproar” on the field, wearing a custom Buffaloes jersey with “Tunechi” on the back.

In a new interview with Billboard, Wayne described the electricity at Saturday’s game. “That man got Colorado turnt right now,” he said. “Them people, they believe. For me, it was just an honor. For the most part, I still can’t believe what he’s doing. It’s unbelievable. Plain and simple. The way he has those people believing, just for him to even invite me and to … include me, I just try to make sure I do my part to the fullest, just like those boys do out there for him.”

Sanders told Billboard of the five-time Grammy-winning rapper: “I love Wayne to life like a friend and a son. I understand his gift and his heart. I see one of the best human beings I’ve ever known well beyond the stage and the handclaps of life.”

As an NFL player, Sanders has two Super Bowl rings from 14 seasons in the league. He was also in the MLB, playing in the 1992 World Series with the Atlanta Braves — making him the only athlete to play in both the Super Bowl and the World Series. He left his previous coaching job at Jackson State with a 27-6 record before venturing to Colorado to turn around last year’s 1-11 team.

Below, find all the celebrities flocking to Boulder, Colorado, to watch Coach Prime’s team in action.

21 Sep 2023

Travis Kelce Says He Invited Taylor Swift to One of His Football Games: ‘We’ll See What Happens’

Travis Kelce wants Taylor Swift on the bleachers at his next game.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end joined The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday (Sept. 21), where he revealed that he invited the “Anti-Hero” superstar to watch him play. “I threw the ball in her court,” he said. “I told her, ‘I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead.’ We’ll see what happens in the near future.”

He also expressed his surprise at how much publicity their potential relationship has gotten. “It’s hilarious how much traction this has actually got,” the 33-year-old said. “I think it’s, right now, it’s like that old game in school called ‘Telephone,’ where everybody is just whispering in each other’s ear, just hearing some random stuff.”

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During a recent interview with NFL+ host Andrew Siciliano, Travis previously addressed the rumors. He confirmed his story about trying to shoot his shot at Swift via an Eras Tour friendship bracelet, but that’s as far as he’d reveal. “I said what I said. And I meant what I said when I said it. And you know what, it is what it is,” he said before shutting down further conversation about the pair’s relationship status. “I’m not gonna talk about my personal life.”

The tight end then teased listeners, saying, “I know what you writers wanna hear, and you wanna hear more about that and I’m not gonna give you anything!” When Siciliano asked if Swift had reached out to him, Kelce responded, “And that’s gonna wrap it up here,” thus ending the interview.

20 Sep 2023

Jason Kelce Jokes He Believes Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Dating Rumors Are ‘One Hundred Percent True’

Is Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s “Love Story” real after all? It seemed like it momentarily in a new interview when Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce shared his thoughts on the dating rumors with DeCamara & Richie on Audacy’s SportsRadio 94 WIP on Wednesday (Sept. 20).

“It’s hard to answer because I don’t really know a lot about Travis’ love life,” he told the hosts after they joked about the Kansas City Chiefs player being better looking than Brad Pitt and asking how the rumored couple are doing.

“I try to keep his business kind of his business, stay out of that world,” the Eagles player said. “But having said that, I think he’s doing great and I think it’s all one hundred percent true. I hope this thing goes the mile …”

Immediately following that, in a difficult-to-hear follow-up, he says, “Nah, I’m joking” as the hosts respond in surprise and a “good for them!”

Billboard has reached out to Swift’s rep for comment.

Just last week (Sept. 14), Jason was asked about the potential romance. “I’ve seen these rumors … I cannot comment,” he said during a post-game interview. “I don’t really know what’s going on there. I know Trav is having fun, we’ll see what happens with whoever he ends up with.”

Travis scored his first regular season touchdown — a hyperextended knee sidelined him the week prior — on Sept. 17, and NFL announcer Ian Eagle used the moment to slip in a few references to Taylor Swift lyrics. “Kelce finds a blank space for the score!” he quipped, a nod to her 2014 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Blank Space.”

Then on Rich Eisen’s eponymous sports talk show, the commentator joked, “You saw it on Thursday night, when Travis Kelce wasn’t in there, it left a ‘blank space,’ but I think he returns today and proves to be the ‘anti-hero.’ Never goes ‘out of style,’” doubling down on the “Blank Space” reference and looping in 1989’s “Style” and Midnights‘ Hot 100 chart-topper “Anti-Hero.”

Travis and Taylor have been linked since July when the Kansas City Chiefs tight end attended her Eras Tour stop at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. On his New Heights podcast — which he hosts alongside his brother — Travis explained how he attempted to slip Swift his number through the tour’s now-trademark friendship bracelets.

Listen to a clip of Jason Kelce’s interview with DaCamara & Richie below: