See Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl Halftime Show — And What Everyone Is Saying About It
February 5, 2018See Justin Timberlake's Super Bowl Halftime Show — And What Hollywood Is Saying About It
Find out who's singing his praises … and who was tweeting "NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE!"
Sure, there were a ton of people tuning into the Super Bowl to watch the New England Patriots face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, but for us the big game was all about one thing: Justin Timberlake's halftime performance.
His last appearance at the big game was met with major backlash in 2004, after he exposed Janet Jackson's breast during her performance. With that memory still in the minds of many, the big question was whether she'd join him on stage in Minneapolis, something she shut down on Saturday. Some also hoped NSYNC would pop up — like Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams did when Beyonce rocked the stage in 2013 — or Chris Stapleton, who he shares a duet with on his new album.
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Timberlake denied any of them would join him … and he wasn't lying.
JT began his set "Filthy," rocking a fringe leather jacket and dancing below the field, before making his way to the main stage singing "Rock Your Body" — the same song he was performing when he tore of Janet's top. His medley of hits also included "SexyBack," "My Love" and "Cry Me River." He slipped on a camo suit to perform "Suit and Tie" with a full band, before moving to the piano to sing "Until the End of Time" and Prince's "I Would Die 4 U," with a video screen of the legendary singer. As that happened, the lights in the city all turned purple.
He followed that up with his song "Mirrors" and "Can't Stop the Feeling" — which he performed in the stands.
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A few celebrities chimed in on his use of Prince, both in defense and against:
Okay punkass justin Timberlake. You was cool till you pulled that Prince bullshit. You dissed Prince on a track of yours and you dissed him onstage when you lowered the mic stand onstage when prince won an award. Later for ya ass
— Sinbad (@sinbadbad) February 5, 2018
And then ANGER!!! To bring out Prince to improve this mediocrity is a damn embarrassment. I’m fumin #HalftimeShow
— Cynthia Erivo (@CynthiaEriVo) February 5, 2018
Justin Timberlake: I’m going to perform at the Super Bowl with a Prince hologram.
Prince (from the grave): pic.twitter.com/IhwAbcZwKm— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 4, 2018
Not down with the dead Prince duet.
— Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) February 5, 2018
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE
— Gabby Sidibe (@GabbySidibe) February 5, 2018
My feeling mo mixed than a bag of party Chex.
— Gabby Sidibe (@GabbySidibe) February 5, 2018
When you really miss Prince!! I’m here for this yall!! pic.twitter.com/6zxeGAtIQJ
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) February 5, 2018
NICE #JustinTimberlake adding dat #Prince #PurpleRain Minnesota effect! 😍😎🙌🏾💜💜
— Vivica A. Fox (@MsVivicaFox) February 5, 2018
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) February 5, 2018
I'm so IRRITATED! You don't do PRINCE like that!!!!! It was NOT A GOOD TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND! PRINCE IS MY FAVORITE ARTIST…THIS WAS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED A TRIBUTE TO PRINCE SHOULD LOOK LIKE!!!
— OFFICIAL SARA STOKES (@IAMSARASTOKES) February 5, 2018
prince stole the show #HalftimeShow
— Rydel Lynch (@RydelLynch) February 5, 2018
The MLK truck commercial and them using Prince singing I Would *Die* 4 U at halftime were both in bad taste imo. No one said “maybe not the song win the word DIE in it?!
— snddoɥ ʞɹɐɯ (@markhoppus) February 5, 2018
The Prince tribute would’ve been cool… except Prince specifically said he didn’t want that, right? Even in death, Prince continues to be misunderstood.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 5, 2018
Here's what else Hollywood is saying about the performance in general:
But….. *NSYNC…… 😭😭😭😭😭
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 5, 2018
Maybe the best halftime show ever. (Next to U2). JT for POTUS!#SuperBowl2018
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) February 5, 2018
Inadvertently and unwillingly saw the halftime show while eating at the bar.
I feel myself spiraling into a deep dark hole of rage and depression .— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) February 5, 2018
I consulted with my 10 year old daughter. Tragedy averted. I feel validated pic.twitter.com/W5PjnWi5QJ
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) February 5, 2018
@jtimberlake that was FIIIIIIRE 🙌 so many tunes!! And moves I need to learn asap #SuperBowl
— Tove Lo (@ToveLo) February 5, 2018
My friend @JTimberlake just killed it. #SuperBowl #JustinTimberlake pic.twitter.com/oZv0YcxsrN
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) February 5, 2018
#justintimberlake is that kid from your suburb who went rogue and went to school in Missoula and came home after the first semester with a high score on BuckHunter and a love of Skoal. K. You’re from Orlando.
— Iliza Shlesinger (@iliza) February 5, 2018
#HalftimeShow #justintimberlake two words…CLASS ACT
— Evangeline Lilly (@EvangelineLilly) February 5, 2018
And that’s how it’s done …. Mr. @jtimberlake
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) February 5, 2018
Well done @jtimberlake you killed it! #nfl #pepsihalftime
— *NSYNC (@NSYNC) February 5, 2018
Wow wow wow! Best halftime of all time!!!!!! Way to go @jtimberlake that just made me so proud!!!!
— Chris Kirkpatrick (@IamCKirkpatrick) February 5, 2018
YESSSSS!!!! THAT IS HOW YOU DO IT!! Magic. Loved THAT! See you in a few. #PepsiHalftime #JustinTimberlake
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) February 5, 2018
JT Lit It Up 🔥🔥 on the SB halftime show !! #justintimberlake #prince 🙌🏾
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) February 5, 2018
Camden loved the Trolls song. Thanks Justin! Great job! https://t.co/0Fh2QI3SAz
— Johnathon Schaech (@JohnSchaech) February 5, 2018
Thanks to Justin Timberlake’s shirt & bandana for the #WestWorld #SuperbowlHalftimeShow shout out. 🤙🏾
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) February 5, 2018
I really really enjoyed Justin Timberlake on super Bowl halftime wow
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) February 5, 2018
I hate this song but my opinions are hella unpopular so its whatever…
— Gabby Sidibe (@GabbySidibe) February 5, 2018
Well dayum this is what a child friendly performance literally looks like #SuperBowl52 😂
— Porsha Williams (@Porsha4real) February 5, 2018
#JustinTimberlake is a fucking fantastic performer. I loved that half time show!!!
— Katie Maloney (@MusicKillsKate) February 5, 2018
Justin Timberlake is a true star. every opportunity he gets, he always proves that. period. #PepsiHalftime
— Aubrey O'Day (@AubreyODay) February 5, 2018
@jtimberlake adopt me .. thanks #PepsiHalftime
— Vinny Ventiera (@VINNYVINSANE) February 5, 2018
Rethinking this entire Justin Timberlake halftime situation and realizing I just can’t forgive him for what he did to Britney and Janet Jackson. You heard me. #GaySuperBowl
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) February 5, 2018
Tom Brady’s daughter rockin out to Justin Timberlake at halftime pic.twitter.com/PAJUWWPnNc
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 5, 2018
Keep reading for more funny and/or critical tweets about the performance:
Did I watch the same halftime show as everyone else?? #JustinTimberlake #Halftime pic.twitter.com/iYs3zeGwdj
— Brett Butler (@br3tt_butler) February 5, 2018
*NSYNC didn't come out because? #PepsiHalftime #JustinTimberlake pic.twitter.com/gbSmQcnbVg
— Shae B. (@Shaebeeofficial) February 5, 2018
who wore it better: justin timberlake or mac os sierra? pic.twitter.com/F0J6heUkAr
— gabe bergado (@gabebergado) February 5, 2018
Gaga’s Halftime:
Jumped from the roof
Sang live while doing choreo
Made a political statement
Played keytar and piano
Ended it with a mid air football catch
Justin’s Halftime:
Anti climatic intro
Ugly wardrobe
Disrespectful Prince inclusion
A kid taking a selfie #PepsiHalftime— Lady Gaga (@CantReadMyJudas) February 5, 2018
Real Prince fans all know what he thinks of that performance. 🤔#JustinTimberlake #SuperBowl #PepsiHalftime pic.twitter.com/sFrNQLVCQk
— Miss understood (@woketeacher18) February 5, 2018
Can’t wait for #justintimberlake to bust out Lucille to complete his #negan look
— Austin Valdillez (@austinv1985) February 5, 2018
i feel like i'm in a REALLY bad soul cycle class
— Mary H.K. Choi (@choitotheworld) February 5, 2018
You cannot bring sexy back in camo #JustinTimberlake #SuperBowl
— stepped up (@annkpowers) February 5, 2018
If I wanted to see a bunch of hipsters looking for attention, I’d go to Silverlake. #JustinTimberlake #SuperBowl.
— Leanne Aguilera (@leanneaguilera) February 5, 2018
Hey Siri, who is #JustinTimberlake? pic.twitter.com/gycauel1Qk
— James Lee (@JamesBLee13) February 5, 2018
What a horrible halftime show, so dull #JustinTimberlake pic.twitter.com/T5doHfrK7X
— isadoramota (@isadora__mota) February 5, 2018
#SuperBowl #JustinTimberlake Who else was waiting for the music to cut out followed by…😐🤔🙄 pic.twitter.com/tWbsFgeTCA
— Anth (@AnthMelo) February 5, 2018
Let's go through the history. While he was alive, Justin repeatedly disrespected Prince..doing a diss track against him and making fun of his height at the Golden Globes. Prince couldn't stand him. Justin has never appropriately addressed his treatment of Prince. https://t.co/HfByGT7rJy
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 5, 2018