Usher took the stage for the Super Bowl halftime show Sunday, and the show had no shortage of surprises, including reports that the singer and his girlfriend, Jennifer Goicoechea, got married the same evening…
It was reported that they officially tied the knot in Las Vegas just hours after the R&B superstar’s headline appearance at the Super Bowl, according to officials and documents.
It was a “very Vegas” wedding. The officiant who wed the pair is known to dress as an Elvis Presley impersonator.
According to PEOPLE, the couple received a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada, on Thursday, Feb. 8.
Usher’s halftime show performance continues to stir conversation, eliciting mixed reactions. The spectacle began with Usher embracing Vegas flair, as he was encircled by a bevy of showgirls and dancers. Shedding an extravagant feather cape, he made a grand entrance from the stage onto the field, serenading the audience with his 2004 hit “Caught Up.”
Who performed with Usher at the Super Bowl?
Throughout his 13-minute halftime show, Usher was joined by a constellation of stars. H.E.R. graced the stage with a captivating guitar solo, adding another layer of musical prowess to the performance. Meanwhile, Usher underwent a costume change, donning a dazzling purple and black suit paired with roller skates. With this eye-catching ensemble, he glided in mesmerizing circles around the stage, captivating the audience with his electrifying presence.
Alicia Keys joined Usher as a surprise guest during his halftime show, singing her “If I Ain’t Got You” while standing at a midfield piano that looked like a red hunk of abstract sculpture.
She then stood up and entangled with Usher as they sang their duet “My Boo,” with her dressed in sparkling red and in contrast with his sparkling white. The singer shed his shirt soon after.
Lil Jon joined, starting with a rousing snippet of his “Turn Down for What” before Usher’s biggest, hit, “Yeah,” began blaring on the stadium speakers.
Lil Jon and Ludacris, sporting shoulder pads and a big afro, recreated their iconic roles from Usher’s 2004 recording of the song on the midfield stage. As the R&B star danced amidst a bedazzled crowd, they brought the energy to a crescendo, closing the show with an electrifying performance.
Usher was also joined by a marching band on the field as he raced through both dance and slow jams including “U Don’t Have to Call.”
Who is Usher?
Usher catapulted to superstardom with his album “Confessions,” which sold over 10 million units in the U.S. and earned him eight Grammy nominations in 2005, clinching three wins. Despite losing the Album of the Year award to Ray Charles’ posthumous release “Genius Loves Company,” “Confessions” remains one of the best-selling music projects of all time.
The album spawned chart-topping hits like “Yeah!” featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon, “Burn,” and “Confessions Part II.” Its special edition also featured the smooth duet “My Boo” with Alicia Keys. As the 20th anniversary of this iconic album approaches next year, its legacy continues to resonate in the music industry.
Currently, at 44, Usher headlines the “Usher: My Way” residency in Las Vegas, garnering sold-out shows and critical acclaim. Additionally, he is embarking on an eight-night series of performances in Paris. Anticipation surrounds his upcoming Super Bowl halftime appearance, scheduled a few months after concluding his Las Vegas residency.
Beyond his music career, Usher has made notable ventures into television as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” and has showcased his acting chops in films such as “Hustlers” and “Light It Up.” His multifaceted talents continue to captivate audiences across various entertainment platforms.
Mixed reviews for the show, but was it all just the sound mixing?
As the anticipation built and the musician graced the stage alongside Alicia Keys for one of the most-watched sporting events ever, Super Bowl fans quickly identified a significant flaw in Usher’s halftime show performance: the sound mixing.
Contrary to what some may have expected, the issue wasn’t related to the absence of a fan-favorite singer among Usher’s guest performers. Despite the brilliance of the artists’ performances, the sound quality fell short of expectations, leading to disappointment among viewers. Comments flooded in on platforms like Unilad, with one individual expressing frustration over the apparent mishap, stating, “Girl, this is a mess… The sound team messed up bad… Usher is sweating his [expletive] off doing nothing… nobody in the field.” Another echoed similar sentiments, venting, “So pissed @cbs #SuperBowl completely screwed up the sound! This is such a great half-time show!!! Needed it 2 be loud AF.” A third commenter questioned the sound check process, emphasizing, “Who tf was on SOUND CHECK? Usher’s mic is not IT, c’mon now.”
Despite these technical difficulties, Usher and Alicia Keys delivered a captivating performance during halftime at the match between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Traditionally, the halftime show at the Super Bowl, being the most watched sporting event of the year, is a highly coveted spot, with past performers including Beyoncé and Madonna.
Usher expressed his readiness and enthusiasm for the performance on social media prior to the event, sharing his desire to sing and dance with unmatched vigor. Despite the sound mixing issues, many viewers still found reasons to praise Usher and Keys’ performance. One viewer hailed it as “the best halftime show I’ve seen in a very long time,” while another declared, “Usher crushed it!”
