Usher’s Shirtless Super Bowl Halftime Show Receives Mixed Reviews With Audience Despite Guest Appearances

R&B singer Usher made a musical comeback as the headliner for the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show.

The show included an extensive ensemble of performers made up of dancers, acrobats and a marching band. Usher wasn’t the only star on stage—Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Will.i.am, H.E.R. and Jermaine Dupri all joined in for the show.

The crowd cheered as Usher and fellow musicians performed their best hits, including “OMG” and “My Boo.” Usher made multiple outfit changes, at one point going shirtless before concluding the show in a bedazzled padding.

Audiences appeared to enjoy the show as it happened live. However, Usher’s performance may have been hindered by Taylor Swift‘s attendance at the game. While Swift did not perform, many fans tuned in to the Super Bowl to watch Swift cheer on her boyfriend,Travis Kelce, of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Longtime Usher fans praised the show. On February 9, days before the Super Bowl, Usher released his ninth studio album titled Coming Home, eight years after his previous album in 2016.

One user posted to X saying, “Usher killed that! Was one of the better performances I have seen.”

Another responded with, “Man, that was absolutely amazing! The Usher hate is ridiculous. This is easily a top 5 Super Bowl performance.”

Other viewers of the show felt the performance did not compare to past halftime shows, including Rihanna‘s in 2023. After the show, Usher has shown nothing but love on social media for the support.