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 stars surprise appearance stealing the spotlight.

The halftime show wasnt the only highlight of the night — the game itself saw the Philadelphia Eagles secure their second championship in franchise history. While the teams victory fueled excitement, the performances became a major talking point.

From a Hollywood icons surprise appearance at the event to a headliners underwhelming set, heres a breakdown of the moments that had people talking.

AdvertisementThe 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 , “This was hands down the best performance of the Super Bowl. Halftime is a close second.”

Lady Gaga performs ahead of the Super Bowl | Source: YouTube/NFLonFOX

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

Lady Gaga performing | Source: YouTube/NFLonFOX

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 icons 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.

Ledisi performs ahead of Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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].”

Ledisi perforning on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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.”

Ledisi and the Greater New Orleans High School Chorale Collective perform at the Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

AdvertisementSamuel 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.

Samuel L. Jackson performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

One remarked, “Nobody else couldve pulled this off, absolute legend.” Another called it the “Best part of the halftime show,” a sentiment echoing across social media.

Samuel L. Jackson during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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

Samuel L. Jackson pictured at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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.

SZA and Kendrick Lamar perform onstage at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

Fans reacted, with one saying, “SZA is sooo beautiful and sings like an angel [sic].” Another , “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].”

SZA performs at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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.

Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle perform at Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

One X user , “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 rappers 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].”

Kendrick Lamar performs onstage at Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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].”

Kendrick Lamar during the Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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.”

Kendrick Lamar during his performance at Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

One viewer declared that the hip-hop artists Super Bowl halftime show was, in their opinion, the worst they had ever seen since they began rating such performances. Another echoed, “I completely agree. He was less entertaining than the blow-out game.”

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Kendrick Lamar photographed onstage at the Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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.

Jon Batiste performs during the Super Bowl LIX Pregame on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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.”

Jon Batiste during the Super Bowl LIX Pregame on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

Others criticized the emotional tone of the rendition, with one , “Theres a reason it was written a certain way—passion and patriotism. This rendition was awful—no passion for the words.”

Jon Batiste pictured during the Super Bowl LIX Pregame on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

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.

Jon Batiste performs the National Anthem onstage prior to Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | Source: Getty Images

The evenings 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.