Viewers Rank the Best & Worst Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show Performances – Videos of 7 Acts

The much-anticipated event unfolded over the weekend, drawing widespread attention. Performances took center stage, featuring both hits and misses. Here are the highlights from this thrilling sporting spectacle.

The Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, 2025, featured acts that had fans talking. Viewers weighed in on the best and worst performances of the night, with one pop star's surprise appearance stealing the spotlight.

The halftime show wasn't the only highlight of the night — the game itself saw the Philadelphia Eagles secure their second championship in franchise history. While the team's victory fueled excitement, the performances became a major talking point.

From a Hollywood icon's surprise appearance at the event to a headliner's underwhelming set, here's a breakdown of the moments that had people talking.

The Best Performances – Lady Gaga

The award-winning pop star captivated viewers with a heartfelt rendition that left a lasting impression. She performed "Hold My Hand" on Bourbon Street, paying tribute to victims of the New Orleans attack and the recent Los Angeles fires.

Fans praised her emotional delivery, with one YouTube user commenting, "This was hands down the best performance of the Super Bowl. Halftime is a close second."

Other viewers shared their enthusiasm, with one social media user stating, "This was amazing. It was so good." Another echoed, "Amazing! Best part!"

Someone suggested, "Lady Gaga should have done the halftime show!!!" Others agreed, and one compared her performance to the headliner, with another claiming, "The best performance of all time."

Ledisi

The R&B icon's stint was another moment that resonated with the audience. She delivered a stirring rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a performance that drew widespread praise for its significance and execution.

Fans expressed their appreciation online. One shared, "Ledisi is a phenomenal singer! Perfect choice for this beautiful sacred song!!!!" Another noted, "I knew ledisi was going to being that fire. Thankyou, Ledisi [sic]."

Some emphasized the importance of the moment, with one stating, "what a moving performance, definitely a good choice on the organizers' part." One person raved about her vocal talent, "Ledisi has such a beautiful voice. She did a wonderful job [sic]." Another fan summed up the sentiment, "This was the best performance. Hands down."

Samuel L. Jackson

Another memorable moment was courtesy of the Hollywood legend who brought his charisma to the stage. His appearance at the event quickly became a fan favorite, with viewers praising his presence and performance.

One remarked, "Nobody else could've pulled this off, absolute legend." Another called it the "Best part of the halftime show," a sentiment echoing across social media.

One fan humorously added, "Bruh got Samuel L. Jackson as 'Uncle Sam' at the Super Bowl lmfaooo 10/10 [sic]." Some even compared the actor's performance to the night's main act, with one stating, "He had a far better night."

SZA

The Grammy Award winner brought her magic to the stage, performing alongside the headliner and earning widespread praise for her contribution. She captivated the audience with her soulful performance.

Fans reacted, with one saying, "SZA is sooo beautiful and sings like an angel [sic]." Another commented, "Sza is amazing everywhere she goes!! [sic]." One praised her vocal talent, "She has a beautiful voice [sic]." Meanwhile, someone else noted, "Sza was good [sic]."

Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty

The Christian singer and the renowned trombonist teamed up to perform "America the Beautiful," leaving a positive impression on viewers.

One X user commented, "Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty was great together in America Super Bowl [sic]." Another remarked, "That was a fun performance." One other individual wrote, "It was great," while another added, "Really enjoyed it."

The Worst Performances – Kendrick Lamar

Announced as the halftime headliner in September 2024, the rapper's performance fell short of expectations for many fans. One blunt X user stated, "BREAKING NEWS: Kendrick Lamar breaks the record for the worst half time show ever [sic]."

Critics pointed to dull execution and a disorganized presentation. One user shared, "Kendrick had zero stage presence, the performance lacked energy, and it felt more like a party with a bunch of people randomly dancing to Kendrick Lamar music playing over loud speakers [sic]."

Another remarked, "Kendrick Lamar had the worst halftime show ever. So ghetto, so boring, he has one good song… what a snooze fest. Not entertaining at all."

Jon Batiste

The singer-songwriter brought his signature style to the event as he was selected to perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LIX. However, the rendition faced backlash, as viewers expressed their disappointment online.

One Facebook user wrote, "National anthem should be sung in its original tune, [sic]," while another described the performance as "Terrible." Some viewers were more direct in their dissatisfaction, with one stating, "Was awful [sic]" and another adding, "Horrible. Jon Batiste was horrible too! Way to butcher a song."

Others criticized the emotional tone of the rendition, with one commenting, "There's a reason it was written a certain way—passion and patriotism. This rendition was awful—no passion for the words."

The Super Bowl LIX halftime show and its performances delivered a mix of moments that ranged from captivating to controversial. While artists like Lady Gaga, Ledisi, and SZA earned acclaim for their contributions, others, including Lamar and Batiste, faced sharp criticism from viewers.

The evening's highs and lows sparked lively discussions, demonstrating the strong opinions and expectations audiences bring to such a monumental event. Ultimately, the event remains as much about the entertainment as the game itself, leaving fans with plenty to talk about long after the final whistle.