Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Super Bowl 2025: Reactions to Kendrick half-time show and Taylor Swift booing as Eagles crush Chiefs

Kendrick Lamar joined by SZA as celebrities including Paul McCartney among fans at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans

Roisin O'Connor,Tom Murray,Greg Evans,Inga Parkel
Tuesday 11 February 2025 13:40 GMT
Comments
Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar's best moments

Kendrick Lamar delivered a blistering set as he headlined the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show tonight as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs with a final score of 22-40.

Pop star Taylor Swift cheered on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, but was ultimately left crestfallen as the team failed to secure a historic third consecutive Super Bowl.

Lamar was joined onstage by his frequent collaborator SZA, along with surprise guests Samuel L Jackson and Serena Williams, as he delivered a medley of favourites including his Grammy-winning Drake diss track, “Not Like Us”.

Viewers got to take part in some celebrity spotting as Swift was joined in her box by friends including rapper Ice Spice and the Haim sisters. However, her longtime pals Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appeared to skip the event.

US President Donald Trump was also in attendance but left early after his Chiefs win prediction fell flat.

This year’s event took place in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.

PICTURES: Eagles celebrate latest score

(REUTERS)
Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 00:49

Super Bowl 2025 halftime show: Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions

Anticipation is building for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, set to take place tonight (February 9).

In the game itself, the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to defend their championship title for a third consecutive year — this time against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s all set to kick off in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST.

The Super Bowl often attracts a diverse range of surprise guests. Last year, headliner Usher brought out Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris and HER.

One guest who won’t be a surprise during Lamar’s set is SZA. The 35-year-old singer is a frequent collaborator of Lamar’s and is soon set to join him on tour. It has already been confirmed that she will appear alongside the Grammy-winning rapper at the Super Bowl, although she’s keeping tight-lipped about exactly what role she’ll be playing.

Full story:

Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions for Super Bowl halftime show

SZA is already confirmed to join the Grammy-winning rapper on stage
Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 00:51

COMMENT: The Tom Brady answer everybody is waiting for at Super Bowl LIX

The former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback has endured a testing start to life in the booth with Fox after penning a 10-year, $375m deal, but, as Jack Rathborn discusses, Super Bowl LIX offers Brady a chance to prove his worth in this fascinating next chapter, writes Jack Rathborn:

The Tom Brady answer everybody is waiting for at Super Bowl LIX

Comment: The former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback has endured a testing start to life in the booth with Fox after penning a 10-year, $375m deal, but, as Jack Rathborn discusses, Super Bowl LIX offers Brady a chance to prove his worth in this fascinating next chapter
Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 00:55

PICTURES: Patrick Mahomes looks grim-faced as Eagles batter Chiefs

(ITV)
(ITV)
Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 01:04

Kendrick Lamar to take to the stage any minute now

Some respite for the Chiefs with halftime imminent, it’s not looking good...

Kendrick Lamar is about to take to the stage for his hugely anticipated halftime show.

Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 01:12

Where is Drake as Kendrick Lamar headlines Super Bowl halftime show?

Where is Drake as Kendrick Lamar headlines Super Bowl halftime show?

Lamar is expected to perform his Grammy-winning Drake diss track during his halftime performance
Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 01:14

Aubrey Plaza makes surprise Super Bowl ad appearance in wake of husband’s death

The commercial aired just over a month after her husband Jeff Baena died by suicide at the age of 47 on January 3.

The ad, which was filmed in November 2024, features Plaza and fellow actor Michael Shannon arriving at the fictional Ritz Salty Club. The commercial plays off the pair’s notoriously unamused facial expressions and dry personas.

"These are our people," Plaza says, and Shannon adds, "our salty brethren."

Plaza claims she's the saltiest in the club, to which Shannon replies, "Saltier than me? When I smile, people think it's a glitch."

Aubrey Plaza makes surprise Super Bowl ad appearance in wake of husband’s death

The Ritz crackers commercial was filmed months before Jeff Baena’s death
Tom Murray10 February 2025 01:21

Here we go!!

Lights out as Kendrick takes to the stage!

Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 01:26

It's Samuel L Jackson!

An early guest cameo from the one and only Samuel L Jackson as Kendrick opens while perched on top of a sports car (sorry I don’t know what one) surrounded by dancers pouring out of said car.

Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 01:28

"Mr Lamar! Do you really know how to play the game?"

A challenge from Mr Jackson prompts Kendrick to launch into a bouncing rendition of “Stay Humble”, with his dancers dressed in the colours of the American flag. Subtle political statement?

Roisin O'Connor10 February 2025 01:31

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in