Super Bowl latest: Taylor Swift’s star power and Usher’s nostalgia-packed show

About 123.4 million people watched the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers at the Super Bowl on TV and streaming platforms, making it the most-watched Super Bowl ever.

The preliminary Nielsen ratings released by CBS on Monday suggest the audience for the National Football League championship grew from last year when the game drew a record 115.1 million viewers.

The figure includes people who watched the contest on the CBS or Nickelodeon channels, via streaming services such as Paramount+ and NFL+.

It does not include viewers who watched in places such as bars and restaurants.

The 24-year-old rapper was joined by the “Anti-Hero” singer and actor Blake Lively, along with some other famous faces, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the “Munch” rapper’s appearance at the game quickly spawned viral memes as she sported a confused expression throughout most of the game.

Rapper Ice Spice appeared slightly confused during Super Bowl LVIII, sparking many viral memes

Alicia Keys’ husband, record producer and rapper Swizz Beatz, defended the pop star from viewers who criticised her Super Bowl halftime performance with Usher.

During the “Yeah!” singer’s highly anticipated show, Keys made a surprise guest appearance to perform a portion of her hit song, “If I Ain’t Got You”.

Seated at a piano dressed in all red, Keys kicked off the song a little unsteady, with her voice cracking at the beginning, which several X users were quick to point out.

“Y’all talking about the wrong damn thing !!!” Beatz wrote in an Instagram post, alongside images of Keys during her performance. “Y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium ⚡️🚨😂😂😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants ! Congrats @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic 🤍 We don’t do negative vibes on this side we make history ✌🏽.”

Yes, there was a streaker that ran onto the field in the middle of the Super Bowl. But, to avoid giving streakers the attention they are likely seeking, most broadcasters refuse to show the kerfuffle.

However don’t worry, several videos of the incident were caught by fans in the stands. The half-naked man can be seen running across the field mid-play before he’s chased down by a number of security people.

By contrast, The Independent’s Mark Beaumont was less impressed. In his three-star review, Beaumont wrote that “in the end, Usher’s show seems like a fun, half-memorable mess. But, with the likes of Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney and Lana Del Rey watching on from the luxury boxes, it could have shifted so many more tour tickets”.

Here are the most talked-about music moments from the biggest night in American sports:

Surprise guests, a Beatle, and a new Beyoncé album. What more could music fans want from the biggest night in American sports?

Following the Kansas City Chief’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday (11 February), the team was seen celebrating and partying at XS Nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Swift and Kelce were photographed kissing and dancing, alongside other attendees including Kelce’s older brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce, and Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“Has everyone seen the #Deadpool trailer? Also has anyone seen my wife?” Reynolds wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of him standing beside a TV playing the latest Deadpool trailer.

The Free Guy star, 47, was not in attendance at Sunday’s (11 February) game. His wife, Gossip Girl alum Blake Lively, 36, however, was right beside her bestie Taylor Swift, as they cheered on Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to People, the Grammy winner, 45, and Goicoechea obtained a marriage license just days before the Super Bowl, in Clark County, Nevada, on Thursday 8 February.

Usher and Jennifer Goicoechea have been dating since 2009

The attorney and Covid-19 conspiracy theorist claimed he had not been consulted on the advert, though it remained pinned to the top of his profile on X/Twitter on Monday.

The 30-second clip that appeared on Sunday, during one of the biggest night’s in the US sporting calendar, appeared to closely resemble a commercial put out by his late uncle, former president John F Kennedy, during his own 1960 presidential campaign.

The attorney and Covid-19 conspiracy theorist claimed he had not been consulted on the advert – though it remained pinned to the top of his profile on X/Twitter on Monday