Kendrick Lamar delivered a blistering set as he headlined the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show tonight as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs with a final score of 22-40.
Pop star Taylor Swift cheered on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, but was ultimately left crestfallen as the team failed to secure a historic third consecutive Super Bowl.
Lamar was joined onstage by his frequent collaborator SZA, along with surprise guests Samuel L Jackson and Serena Williams, as he delivered a medley of favourites including his Grammy-winning Drake diss track, “Not Like Us”.
Viewers got to take part in some celebrity spotting as Swift was joined in her box by friends including rapper Ice Spice and the Haim sisters. However, her longtime pals Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appeared to skip the event.
US President Donald Trump was also in attendance but left early after his Chiefs win prediction fell flat.
This year’s event took place in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.
Super Bowl 2025 key points
- Kendrick Lamar self-censors brutal Not Like Us lyrics in Super Bowl halftime performance
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appear to skip Super Bowl with Taylor Swift amid Justin Baldoni drama
- Drake vs Kendrick: A timeline of the feud between the two rap stars
- Travis Kelce’s coy response about proposing to Taylor Swift
- PICTURES: Patrick Mahomes looks grim-faced as Eagles batter Chiefs
A note of caution for the sports fans...
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:21
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Roisin O'Connor
Just a disclaimer for any sports fans hoping for some in-depth American football commentary, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT HERE. Our dedicated sports team, who actually know about all that stuff, will be sharing updates tonight - this blog is more about the halftime show and all the celeb sightings. I could try to offer some sports commentary but it’ll be purely for the comedy value.
A shot of that Travis Kelce suit...
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:36
,
Roisin O'Connor
No further comment your honour
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appear to skip Super Bowl with Taylor Swift amid Justin Baldoni drama
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:37
,
Tom Murray
Blake Lively was not present at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday as her best friend Taylor Swift cheered on her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lively attended last year’s championship game with Swift and Ice Spice and has attended a number of other Chiefs games with the pop megastar.
Ice Spice returned to join Swift at this year’s game but Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds were notable absences amid the former’s ongoing legal drama with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.
Last December, Lively filed a bombshell complaint against Baldoni — who also directed the movie — alleging sexual harassment.
In the filing, her lawyers claimed that Baldoni's PR team hired Wallace to assist in an alleged smear campaign against Lively. It was claimed he "weaponized a digital army around the country from New York to Los Angeles to create, seed and promote content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums."
Drake vs Kendrick: A timeline of the feud between the two rap stars
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:46
,
Roisin O'Connor
Obviously everyone’s talking about the Eagles vs the Chiefs, but what about the rivalry between two of hip-hop’s biggest stars?
Will Taylor Swift make an announcement tonight?
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:53
,
Roisin O'Connor
Swifties have been desperate for a sign that Swift’s re-recording of Reputation is on the way - the Grammys turned out to be a bust, but could she share some news this evening? My colleagues are in denial but I’m convinced that Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have rocked up in Reputation colours (red and green/teal). There’s a chance I’m reading too much in to it but they all owe me money if I’m right.
IN PICTURES: Celeb-spotting at the Super Bowl
Monday 10 February 2025 00:01
,
Roisin O'Connor
UPDATE:Sports is happening
Monday 10 February 2025 00:08
,
Roisin O'Connor
Honestly, this could be Squid Game for all I understand of it, but one observant pundit just said “it’s chaos out there”, which is what I would have said, so maybe I am an expert after all.
Who is Kendrick Lamar dating? Everything we know about his fiancée Whitney Alford and their two children
Monday 10 February 2025 00:22
,
Amber Raiken
Super Bowl LIX is fast approaching, with Kendrick Lamar set to take the stage at the halftime show in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The 2025 Super Bowl will be taking place tonight (February 9), with the Kansas City Chiefs returning to the field in hopes of a three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles. The two teams previously faced off against each other in 2023, with the Chiefs winning 38-35.
The halftime event is expected to be a show-stopping occasion, with Lamar as the headliner. The “Not Like Us” singer will be joined by his longtime collaborator and friend, SZA, who he’s going on tour with later this year.
Taylor Swift looks serious as she watches Travis Kelce
Monday 10 February 2025 00:27
,
Roisin O'Connor
So far the Eagles are ahead of the Chiefs, which probably explains why Swift appears very focused as she watches from her box with friends Ice Spice and the Haim sisters. Surprisingly sedate box this year compared to the celeb-packed antics of 2024.
Eagles are battering the Chiefs right now ahead of Kendrick's halftime show
Monday 10 February 2025 00:47
,
Roisin O'Connor
Again, I’m no expert but the Chiefs are definitely taking a battering by the Philly Eagles - the cameras are keeping a respectful distance from Swift but she must be stressing.
PICTURES: Eagles celebrate latest score
Monday 10 February 2025 00:49
,
Roisin O'Connor
Super Bowl 2025 halftime show: Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions
Monday 10 February 2025 00:51
,
Roisin O'Connor
Anticipation is building for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, set to take place tonight (February 9).
In the game itself, the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to defend their championship title for a third consecutive year — this time against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s all set to kick off in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST.
Lamar, 37, is no stranger to the biggest stage in American sport. He came out as a guest performer when Dr Dre headlined the event in 2022, along with Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J Blige.
The Super Bowl often attracts a diverse range of surprise guests. Last year, headliner Usher brought out Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris and HER.
One guest who won’t be a surprise during Lamar’s set is SZA. The 35-year-old singer is a frequent collaborator of Lamar’s and is soon set to join him on tour. It has already been confirmed that she will appear alongside the Grammy-winning rapper at the Super Bowl, although she’s keeping tight-lipped about exactly what role she’ll be playing.
Full story:
COMMENT: The Tom Brady answer everybody is waiting for at Super Bowl LIX
Monday 10 February 2025 00:55
,
Roisin O'Connor
The former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback has endured a testing start to life in the booth with Fox after penning a 10-year, $375m deal, but, as Jack Rathborn discusses, Super Bowl LIX offers Brady a chance to prove his worth in this fascinating next chapter, writes Jack Rathborn:
PICTURES: Patrick Mahomes looks grim-faced as Eagles batter Chiefs
Monday 10 February 2025 01:04
,
Roisin O'Connor
Kendrick Lamar to take to the stage any minute now
Monday 10 February 2025 01:12
,
Roisin O'Connor
Some respite for the Chiefs with halftime imminent, it’s not looking good...
Kendrick Lamar is about to take to the stage for his hugely anticipated halftime show.
Where is Drake as Kendrick Lamar headlines Super Bowl halftime show?
Monday 10 February 2025 01:14
,
Roisin O'Connor
Aubrey Plaza makes surprise Super Bowl ad appearance in wake of husband’s death
Monday 10 February 2025 01:21
,
Tom Murray
Aubrey Plaza made an appearance during Super Bowl LIX on Sunday in an advertisement for Ritz crackers.
The commercial aired just over a month after her husband Jeff Baena died by suicide at the age of 47 on January 3.
The ad, which was filmed in November 2024, features Plaza and fellow actor Michael Shannon arriving at the fictional Ritz Salty Club. The commercial plays off the pair’s notoriously unamused facial expressions and dry personas.
"These are our people," Plaza says, and Shannon adds, "our salty brethren."
Plaza claims she's the saltiest in the club, to which Shannon replies, "Saltier than me? When I smile, people think it's a glitch."
Here we go!!
Monday 10 February 2025 01:26
,
Roisin O'Connor
Lights out as Kendrick takes to the stage!
It's Samuel L Jackson!
Monday 10 February 2025 01:28
,
Roisin O'Connor
An early guest cameo from the one and only Samuel L Jackson as Kendrick opens while perched on top of a sports car (sorry I don’t know what one) surrounded by dancers pouring out of said car.
"Mr Lamar! Do you really know how to play the game?"
Monday 10 February 2025 01:31
,
Roisin O'Connor
A challenge from Mr Jackson prompts Kendrick to launch into a bouncing rendition of “Stay Humble”, with his dancers dressed in the colours of the American flag. Subtle political statement?
PICTURES: Kendrick Lamar headlines the Super Bowl halftime show
Monday 10 February 2025 01:33
,
Roisin O'Connor
Kendrick censors controversial Not Like Us line
Monday 10 February 2025 01:39
,
Roisin O'Connor
Whole stadium chanting a long to his line “probably A Minor” but he omitted the other line where he brands Drake an “certified paedophile”.
That was over far too soon
Monday 10 February 2025 01:43
,
Roisin O'Connor
I could happily have watched another hour of that instead of the football (sorry sports fans), phew!!!!
Just a few smart cameos: Samuel L Jackson, Mustard (on the beat!) and Serena Williams?!
Car update
Monday 10 February 2025 01:53
,
Roisin O'Connor
My colleagues have gathered to inform me the car Kendrick opened on was a Buick GNX, which makes sense given that’s the name of his latest album. Duhhhhh. Consider me mortified.
PICTURE: Security tackle pro-Palestine protestor during Kendrick Lamar performance
Monday 10 February 2025 01:55
,
Roisin O'Connor
Taylor Swift booed by Eagles fans at Super Bowl – while Trump is cheered
Monday 10 February 2025 01:57
,
Roisin O'Connor
Kendrick Lamar's setlist for the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show
Monday 10 February 2025 02:08
,
Roisin O'Connor
In order...
Squabble Up
HUMBLE
DNA
Euphoria
Man at the Garden
Peekaboo
Luther (ft. SZA)
All the Stars (ft. SZA)
Not Like Us
TV Off
Kendrick Lamar self-censors brutal Not Like Us lyrics in Super Bowl halftime performance
Monday 10 February 2025 02:18
,
Roisin O'Connor
Social media reactions to Kendrick's set
Monday 10 February 2025 02:24
,
Roisin O'Connor
On social media, many fans seemed delighted by the 12-minute set, while others complained that Lamar had failed to perform anything from his earlier albums, such as his Grammy-winning 2015 record, To Pimp a Butterfly, or 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
Taylor Swift’s three-word response to Super Bowl crowd’s boos
Monday 10 February 2025 02:49
,
Roisin O'Connor
Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl halftime show 2025: All the surprise guests and setlist in full
Monday 10 February 2025 03:03
,
Inga Parkel
Kendrick Lamar gave a showstopping halftime performance at the 2025 Super Bowl that celebrated both old and new hits and featured a few famous faces and voices.
Dressed in a leather sports jacket, jeans and a backward cap, the 37-year-old Grammy-winning rapper took the field on Sunday, following his recent Grammy victories, to deliver an energetic and unforgettable concert.
Before he took the stage, though, he was introduced by Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam. The Pulp Fiction actor stayed throughout the show to introduce each segment.
Lamar was later joined by his longtime collaborator and R&B singer SZA to deliver spot-on renditions of their songs “luther” and “All the Stars.”
Toward the end of the rapper’s performance, the cameras panned to his backup dancers, which featured an unexpected cameo from tennis superstar Serena Williams.
That's it! Game over, sorry Chiefs
Monday 10 February 2025 03:07
,
Roisin O'Connor
Again, not a sports expert, but I think it’s safe to say the Eagles wiped the floor with the Chiefs.
Ben Stiller: 'Best halftime show ever'
Monday 10 February 2025 03:18
,
Tom Murray
One person who particularly appreciated Lamar’s halftime show was Ben Stiller. He tweeted: “Best halftime show ever..”
Best Halftime show ever..
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) February 10, 2025
Trump leaves Super Bowl early
Monday 10 February 2025 03:24
,
Tom Murray
Trump left the Super Bowl surprisingly early after his pre-game prediction of a victory for the Kansas City Chiefs fell short.
Read more:
How Kendrick Lamar's halftime show went down
Monday 10 February 2025 03:43
,
Tom Murray
Kendrick Lamar put on a blistering Super Bowl halftime show, as he brought out surprise guests Samuel L Jackson and Serena Williams as well as his longtime collaborator SZA at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Roisin O’Connor recaps the performance here:
Watch: Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar's best moments
Monday 10 February 2025 04:00
,
Tom Murray
REVIEW: Kendrick Lamar’s Drake-baiting was a smoke-screen – his Super Bowl show represented a righteous nation baring its teeth
Monday 10 February 2025 04:25
,
Tom Murray
In a five-star review for The Independent, Mark Beaumont writes: “As Lamar raps at one point, ‘this is bigger than the music,’ and tonight will undoubtedly go down as one of the most important halftime shows in the history of the event, if not the most significant mass-televised rap performance of all time. The Drake-baiting was a smokescreen; what really happened was a righteous nation showed up and bared its teeth. The great American game has only just begun. Go eagles.”
Video: Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show interrupted by Palestine protester
Monday 10 February 2025 04:52
Tom Brady delivers brutal verdict on Patrick Mahomes
Monday 10 February 2025 05:25
,
Tom Murray
The NFL legend, who won the Super Bowl seven times from 10 games, has been compared with Mahomes when discussing the greatest quarterback in the sport’s history.
In the build-up to the game in New Orleans, the Fox commentator highlighted the risk for Mahomes should he lose: “If you don't win, you're 3-2 in Super Bowls, and it's not a great feeling and there is a lot of pressure.”
Read more:
Watch: Taylor Swift’s three-word response to Super Bowl crowd’s boos
Monday 10 February 2025 05:53
,
Tom Murray
Magic Johnson praises Lamar's halftime show
Monday 10 February 2025 06:15
,
Tom Murray
Hall of Fame basketballer Earvin "Magic" Johnson loved Lamar’s storytelling and that cameo from Samuel L. Jackson.
“Kendrick Lamar brought the house down tonight in his half time performance! I loved his song selection and the production was amazing! Sza sounded great and I loved seeing my friend Serena Williams and my good friend Samuel L. Jackson as ‘Uncle Sam’”
Kendrick Lamar brought the house down tonight in his half time performance! I loved his song selection and the production was amazing! Sza sounded great and I loved seeing my friend Serena Williams and my good friend Samuel L. Jackson as “Uncle Sam”!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 10, 2025
Flavor Flav reacts to 'A Minor' lyric
Monday 10 February 2025 06:44
,
Tom Murray
“The way the WHOLE stadium just yelled “A MINOOOOOOOOOORRRRR,” Flavor Flav tweeted. He was of course referencing the lyrics in Lamar’s Drake diss, “Not Like Us.”
The way the WHOLE stadium just yelled “A MINOOOOOOOOOORRRRR”#KendrickLamar #SuperBowl
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) February 10, 2025
Watch: Aubrey Plaza makes surprise Super Bowl ad appearance with Michael Shannon
Monday 10 February 2025 07:09
,
Tom Murray
The commercial aired just over a month after her husband Jeff Baena died by suicide at the age of 47 on January 3.
Kendrick Lamar's setlist in full
Monday 10 February 2025 07:36
,
Tom Murray
- “wacced out morals”
- “Bodies (GNX snippet)”
- “Squabble Up”
- “HUMBLE.”
- “DNA.”
- “Euphoria”
- “Man at the Garden”
- “peekaboo (feat. azchike)”
- “luther (with SZA)”
- “All the Stars (with SZA)”
- “Not Like Us”
- “tv off (feat. lefty gunplay)”
Patrick Mahomes accepts responsibility for Super Bowl defeat after failing to ‘play to his standard’
Monday 10 February 2025 08:00
,
Mike Jones
Kansas City Chiefs quarter-back Patrick Mahomes took responsibility for his team’s loss in Super Bowl 59 as the Philadelphia Eagles stormed to a 40-22 win at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The two-time Super Bowl champion made a flurry of errors early in the game and was sacked six times throughout the match, the most in any game of his career.
Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat in particular had an eye for the quarter-back regularly tormenting him as the Chiefs attempted to assert some control on the game.
Kanye West quits X after posting Super Bowl rant about Taylor Swift
Monday 10 February 2025 09:00
,
Greg Evans
