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Look back at the most memorable halftime shows

byKayla Thompson
September 29, 2025


From Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction to Michael Jackson busting a move – the most memorable halftime show performers in recent years.

Supremes icon Diana Ross took the stage to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Super Bowl. She performed memorable hits like “Stop in the Name of Love,” “Baby Love,” “I Will Survive,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
The greats performed a celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing for the 1999 game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos.
The greats performed a celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing for the 1999 game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos.
The King of Pop's
The King of Pop’s “Heal the World” halftime show was so popular, it actually became one of the most-watched TV events in history.
The Blues Brothers Bash in 1997 featured hits like
The Blues Brothers Bash in 1997 featured hits like “Everbody Needs Somebody to Love,” and “Soul Man,” as well as James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good).” The show culminated with a collaborative performance of “Gimme Some Lovin’.”
The year 1998 was the salute to Motown's 40th Anniversary, with star performances by Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Martha Reeves.
The year 1998 was the salute to Motown’s 40th Anniversary, with star performances by Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Martha Reeves.
Also taking the stage during the Motown tribute was Queen Latifah, who wowed the crowds with her impressive voice.
Also taking the stage during the Motown tribute was Queen Latifah, who wowed the crowds with her impressive voice.
The 2000 halftime show, called
The 2000 halftime show, called “Tapestry of Nations,” rang in the new millennium in style and featured a full symphony orchestra as well as big name stars.
Think back to 2004, when 90 million Super Bowl viewers watched as Justin Timberlake sang
Think back to 2004, when 90 million Super Bowl viewers watched as Justin Timberlake sang “Gonna have you naked by the end of this song” and then ripped off Janet Jackson’s bustier to expose her bare chest. While the incident ended up costing CBS $550,000 in FCC fines, it also introduced “wardrobe malfunction” to the American lexicon and, frankly, the world hasn’t been the same since. In fact, due to the snafu, “wardrobe malfunction” was actually nominated for the 2004 “Word of the Year” by the American Dialect Society. However it lost out because it was technically not coined that year.
The stadium was pumping with anthems like
The stadium was pumping with anthems like “Man! I Feel like a Woman!,” “Just a Girl” and “Message in a Bottle” in 2003.
Shania's outfit (as usual) stole the show.
Shania’s outfit (as usual) stole the show.
The Kings of Rock and Pop took the stage to belt out hits like
The Kings of Rock and Pop took the stage to belt out hits like “Bye Bye Bye,” “Walk This Way,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”
Bono and the boys performed a touching tribute to 9/11 victims with songs like
Bono and the boys performed a touching tribute to 9/11 victims with songs like “Beautiful Day,” “MLK,” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.”
Prince had the crowd going wild with renditions of
Prince had the crowd going wild with renditions of “Purple Rain,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Baby I’m A Star” during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears.
The year after the infamous Janet Jackson incident, the NFL hired Paul McCartney for its halftime show, a deliberate declaration that it was safe to let the kids watch.
The year after the infamous Janet Jackson incident, the NFL hired Paul McCartney for its halftime show, a deliberate declaration that it was safe to let the kids watch.
No lip syncing here! It's no surprise the New Orleans Superdome lost power shortly after the Super Bowl halftime show -- Beyonce's performance was a show-stopper. After taking the stage in dramatic fashion singing songs such as
No lip syncing here! It’s no surprise the New Orleans Superdome lost power shortly after the Super Bowl halftime show — Beyonce’s performance was a show-stopper. After taking the stage in dramatic fashion singing songs such as “Crazy in Love,” Beyonce’s 13-minute set included shafts of fire, holograms and, after much anticipation, a long-awaited Destiny’s Child reunion. Flanked by Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, Bey performed old hits including “Bootylicious” and a new rendition of “Single Ladies.”
Petty and his boys rocked out to
Petty and his boys rocked out to “American Girl” and “Free Fallin’” at Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.
The Black Eyed Peas, fronted by Fergie, performed a medley of their hit songs such as
The Black Eyed Peas, fronted by Fergie, performed a medley of their hit songs such as “I Gotta Feeling,” “Let’s Get It Started,” and “Where Is the Love?,” as well as Guns ‘N Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and Usher’s “OMG.”
Mick Jagger got the fans in a frenzy with songs like
Mick Jagger got the fans in a frenzy with songs like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Rough Justice,” and “Start Me Up.”
“Born to Run” and “Working on a Dream” were some of the greatest hits performed by the Boss at Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The British rock band played classics like
The British rock band played classics like “Who Are You” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Gardens, Fla.
It doesn't get much bigger than Madonna! More than 100 million viewers tuned in to watch the Material Girl amp up the crowd with performances of old classics like
It doesn’t get much bigger than Madonna! More than 100 million viewers tuned in to watch the Material Girl amp up the crowd with performances of old classics like “Like A Prayer,” as well as her new hit “Give Me All Your Luvin.” Madge was joined on stage by a blond Nicki Minaj and British singer M.I.A., who added a dose of controversy to the show after flipping the bird during the live performance.
Lady Gaga went above and beyond during her explosive Super Bowl LI halftime show, soaring to the stage before performing a medley of her biggest hits, including
Lady Gaga went above and beyond during her explosive Super Bowl LI halftime show, soaring to the stage before performing a medley of her biggest hits, including “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance,” and her new chart topper “Million Reasons.”
Bruno Mars knows how to rock! The 28-year-old Grammy winner joined forces with the Red Hot Chili Peppers for an electrifying performance during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2, 2014. During the performance, Mars sang a slew of hits including
Bruno Mars knows how to rock! The 28-year-old Grammy winner joined forces with the Red Hot Chili Peppers for an electrifying performance during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2, 2014. During the performance, Mars sang a slew of hits including “Locked Out of Heaven.”
Katy Perry blew away the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show when she took to the stage to perform a medley of her biggest hits during a 13-minute show in the middle of the big football game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb. 1, 2015. Perry emerged riding an animatronic lion, wearing a fiery dress while fireworks went off around her as she performed her hit song
Katy Perry blew away the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show when she took to the stage to perform a medley of her biggest hits during a 13-minute show in the middle of the big football game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb. 1, 2015. Perry emerged riding an animatronic lion, wearing a fiery dress while fireworks went off around her as she performed her hit song “Roar” before she quickly transitioned into her 2014 smash hit “Dark Horse.”
It was the Broncos versus the Panthers at the 2016 Super Bowl 50, but the best performance of the night belonged to Beyonce, who teamed up with Coldplay and Bruno Mars during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 halftime extravaganza. Martin kicked off the show with his song
It was the Broncos versus the Panthers at the 2016 Super Bowl 50, but the best performance of the night belonged to Beyonce, who teamed up with Coldplay and Bruno Mars during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 halftime extravaganza. Martin kicked off the show with his song “Yellow,” before Bruno Mars joined him on the stage to perform “Uptown Funk.” Last but not least, Beyonce strutted right into “Formation” with an army of backup dancers.
Travis Scott performs
Travis Scott performs “Sicko Mode” onstage with Maroon 5 during the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta, Ga., amid controversy of the band headlining the halftime show in the wake of Rihanna reportedly turning down the gig in support of Colin Kaepernick.
Singers Shakira and Jennifer Lopez perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2, 2020 in Miami, Florida. Lopez pulled out
Singers Shakira and Jennifer Lopez perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2, 2020 in Miami, Florida. Lopez pulled out “Jenny from the Block.” Shakira’s hips never lied while she sang favorites including “Whenever, Wherever,” which promptly soared to the top of the iTunes charts.
The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The singer decked in a sparkling red jacket, a black shirt and black gloves stepped out from a brilliant white tunnel as he sang
The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The singer decked in a sparkling red jacket, a black shirt and black gloves — stepped out from a brilliant white tunnel as he sang “Starboy.” Look-alikes in mummy-like face bandages —the performer’s signature look surrounded the singer as he performs “Can’t Feel My Face.
California Love! This halftime show did not disappoint! Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg were also joined by Kendrick Lamar and 50 cent, not pictured, at the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022.
California Love! This halftime show did not disappoint! Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg were also joined by Kendrick Lamar and 50 cent, not pictured, at the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Rihanna performs onstage during the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Rihanna performs onstage during the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. The singer announced she was expecting her second child during the high-energy performance.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome on Feb. 09, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His performance came during a very public beef with fellow rapper Drake.

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Kayla Thompson
Kayla Thompson is a dedicated journalist and writer with a passion for capturing the essence of New York. Her work spans a diverse range of topics, from the state’s vibrant cultural scene to its complex social and environmental issues. Based in Manhattan, Kayla has become known for her in-depth reporting and engaging storytelling that bring the many facets of New York to life.
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