While the NFL’s annual Super Bowl may not be the biggest priority of BCA’s academically focused students, the yearly Super Bowl halftime shows are certainly beloved. This is a feeling shared amongst the majority of Americans as well; while tens of millions of people tune in every year to watch the Super Bowl, even more tune in just to watch the much awaited halftime show.
The explosive performances from the last several years have received a myriad of responses from the public. BCA students have formed their own opinions on these performances as well. From Usher to Shakira, these halftime shows have been anything but bland.
But which of the most recent halftime performances were BCA’s favorite? When asked to rank the Super Bowl halftime show performances from the past five years, this is what BCA students had to say:
5. Super Bowl LV (2021) – The Weeknd
Ranked the lowest out of this decade’s five halftime show performances, when voted on by BCA students, the Weeknd’s 2021 performance at Super Bowl LV came up short.
The R&B artist’s show from Tampa Florida was one of the most unique ones to date. The Weeknd made history by performing the Super Bowl’s first halftime show held during a pandemic.
The artist was largely forced to perform from the stands rather than the pitch, done in compliance with the Super Bowl’s strict COVID-19 protocols at the time. Not only this, but the audience was limited to 25,000 viewers instead of the usual 65,000, and cardboard cut-outs of fans filled the empty stands.
Despite the efforts from the Weeknd to put on a good show, it’s safe to say that these restrictions caused noticeable setbacks in the quality of his performance. Many viewers found the performance to be underwhelming, or lacking the wow-factor that halftime shows so often have.
“I thought the Weeknd’s performance was, while still good, not as energetic and spectacular as the others,” said Shlok Patel, an AAST sophomore. “It made his task very hard because there was such a small audience, but he did the best with what he had.”
Closing out his show with his energetic hit “Blinding Lights,” the Weeknd didn’t let the difficulties presented affect his own performance. Even considering all the setbacks the artist faced, his perseverance displayed the commitment the artist has to his craft, and to his audience.
4. Super Bowl LIV (2020) – Shakira & Jennifer Lopez, (feat. Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Emme Muniz)
Coming in at fourth on the list is the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show, a show-stopping and culture-filled performance co-headlined by artists Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
The two artists put on a show filled with energetic music, impressive dancing, and explosive energy. With featured artists like global icons Bad Bunny and J Balvin, the 14-minute performance was intended to reflect the Latin culture of the host city, Miami.
Jennifer Lopez’s own daughter, Emme Muniz, could even be seen hitting the Super Bowl stage alongside her mother. Topping off the exciting night’s show, the eleven year old certainly wowed the crowd with her impressive singing abilities.
While this performance ranked low on BCA’s list of favorite halftime performances, that doesn’t take away from the electric performance put on by the duo. The halftime show performance received four primetime emmy nominations, going on to even win one.
Between the two artists, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez have an endless number of immediately recognizable songs like “Waka Waka” by Shakira and “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez. Even if it wasn’t the absolute favorite of BCA students, the performance showed the global influence of an event as grand as the Super Bowl, one that people of all cultures can appreciate and enjoy.
3. Super Bowl LVIII (2024) – Usher (feat. Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Lil Jon, Ludacris)
With the mixed reviews of the most recent halftime performance, it makes sense that Usher’s was placed right in the middle of BCA students’ list.
On February 11, 2024, the R&B singer’s performance set a new record as the most viewed halftime show of all time, gathering nearly 124 million viewers.
With the 58th Super Bowl taking place in Las Vegas, the singer could be seen tirelessly dancing alongside numerous backup dancers dressed as Vegas showgirls. At one point, the performance even featured an entire marching band. And, perhaps the most show stopping part of the show, Usher could also be seen sporting roller skates while effortlessly dancing and gliding around the stage.
The show certainly wasn’t lacking in it’s wow-factor, and had the audience hooked on Usher’s timeless dance moves and high energy hits. While the halftime show has received many mixed reviews from the public, there’s no denying that Usher put his all into his performance.
With all this in mind, why was Usher’s performance only ranked third on this list? One reason for this could be the fact that Usher’s stardom reached its peak in the 90s and early 2000s. That’s a time period that none of BCA’s current Gen-Z students were around for.
With this being said, even today’s students can appreciate Usher’s star-studded performance, iconic dance moves, and memorable hits.
2. Super Bowl LVII (2023) – Rihanna
Though not number one on this list, Rihanna’s performance at the 2023 Super Bowl remains as iconic to BCA students as the international pop star herself.
The halftime show became her first live performance in over five years, and a very exciting day for her millions of fans around the world. The show featured the artist singing on a floating platform in the middle of the stadium, accompanied by her nearly 300 backup dancers. With their white, marshmallow-like costumes, the dancers easily became fan favorites and internet sensations following the performance.
The spectacularity of the performance was only amplified when the superstar subtly revealed to the world that she was pregnant with her second child.
Many viewers originally criticized the artist’s performance for being bland or lackluster. Others defended the artist’s effortless cool charm, and considered the performance remarkable considering the circumstances.
“Even if Rihanna didn’t perform as much as other artists during the halftime show, the fact that she did all that while pregnant is insanely impressive,” said AAST student Mourupa Ghosh.
With the performance earning it a #2 spot on the list of BCA students’s favorite recent halftime shows, the majority of BCA students certainly agree.
1. Superbowl LVI (2022) – Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent
Taking the number one spot as BCA’s most beloved recent halftime show is the 2022 Super Bowl, performed by hip hop and rap icon Dr. Dre and an array of other iconic music artists.
Alongside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, the performance featured Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and 50 cent. You don’t have to be a hip hop fan to appreciate such an impressive lineup of music artists.
With rap being one of today’s students’ most beloved genres, there’s no wonder as to why the 56th Super Bowl halftime performance was such a hit amongst BCA students as well.
“I really enjoyed their performance, and I get why others did too,” said sophomore student Seher Mahajan. “There was something for everyone. They sang so many famous songs, and I think their halftime show really fit the confident energy of the Super Bowl.”
Featuring songs from “The Next Episode” by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg, to “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, the show featured hits that were sure to leave the large live audience feeling hyped up for the rest of the game ahead. And, judging from the praise it received from BCA students, this feeling could be felt by the millions of at-home viewers as well.
Very little compares to the excitement that sweeps over the country on a day like the Super Bowl. Whether positive or negative, the responses that the annual halftime shows gather are sure to be spoken about for months to come.
Which artist will be the next added to this list of iconic performances in 2025? Along with the rest of the country, BCA’s students can only wait in anticipation for their answer.
