Usher Managed To Get 15 Minutes For His Super Bowl Halftime Show
Leave it to Usher to get his Super Bowl Halftime Show extended by two minutes. Unlike past performers, the crooner revealed that his set will be 15 minutes long, instead of 13.
“I can’t explain why, but it’s a funny thing that I was able to do and craft,” Usher explained to Entertainment Weekly. “That was a huge strategic thing that happened between me and my agency.”
He also confirmed the set time to Billboard in his latest cover story.
“It’s 12 to 15 minutes. So it’s really hard to determine what moment matters more than others, especially with a new song. But there’s the dance, the wardrobe, the lighting, how long you stay in a song, the fact that the audience may sing along … It’s a lot. So I’m trying my hardest not to overthink it,” Ursher explained of the set.
He did describe the 30-year-moment-in-the-making as “an event,” and confirmed that there will be special guests. He also shared that he did consider performing new music, but didn’t confirm or deny its inclusion.
When planning his show, the 45-year-old revealed to the outlet that he’s “watched every performer, analyzing how they maximized those 12 minutes. But you know, your moment is your moment.”
Usher previously revealed that he’s bringing R&B back to the Super Bowl.
“This night was specifically curated in my mind to have R&B take the main stage,” he told Vogue, noting that the special guests are “people who represent, for him, the genre’s architects…Not just R&B music, but R&B performance, R&B connection, R&B spirit.”
Ultimately, the superstar is “so ready for it to happen.” Adding, “I just want to sing louder than I’ve ever sang; dance harder than I’ve ever danced. I want to celebrate the 30 years of this career where I’m very fortunate to have made songs and moments with people that they will remember forever.”
The Halftime Show is Usher’s first performance since concluding his Las Vegas residency. For now, outside of Lovers & Friends Fest, he has no intentions to return to Vegas anytime soon and especially not in the same capacity. He did praise acts like Bruno Mars, Boyz II Men, New Edition, and Wu-Tang Clan for planting their own roots in Sin City, and looks forward to returning “someday.”
Watch the full conversation above.
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