Lady Gaga performs surprise tribute to start the Super Bowl before the game

On By Littum

“Tonight we come together because that’s who we are and that’s what we do,” Michael Strahan told the viewers about Fox Super Bowl Lix’s name during an opening segment dedicated to victims of tragedies around the country, including New Orleans and Los Angeles.

The segment began with Strahan and former New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady, who went into New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street. “This year began with a terrorist attack that tried to blow up its spirit,” Strahan told the camera.

“But New Orlean’s resilience is matched by our country’s decision,” continued Brady, wearing a Los Angeles four department shirt. “When tragedy hits, we don’t break, we meet. We rise over and never let Evil win. ”

Strahan explained that when everyone is preparing for “Sport’s Biggest Day”, they gathered “with heavy hearts” to families and friends “from North Carolina to Los Angeles, from Washington, DC to Philadelphia.”

Lady Gaga then started what seemed to be a taped performance on Bourbon Street in her Oscar-nominated song from 2022 Top Gun: Maverick. The Mayhem singer was dressed in essentials white, played piano and sang for a large crowd of people in “Nola Strong” shirts, police officers, members of the US military and more.

The show was a surprise to viewers as it was not previously announced that she would appear at any time during the game.

The bleak but inspiring performance comes on the heels of a busy week for the singer. Gaga released a new track, “Abracadabra,” from her upcoming album, ChaosDuring a commercial break in 2025 Grammys. The “shallow” singer announced his highly expected seventh studio album the week before after a series of teasers, including a website with across sites and cross -country skiing. Chaos must be released on March 7th. A full tracklist is expected to be announced at a later date.

Also during the pregame entertainment Jon Batiste National Anthem, Ledisi sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle performed “America the Beautiful.” Other artists included Harry Connick Jr. With jazz trumpetist Terence Blanchard, Soul Rebels and the original Pinettes.

Check out The Hollywood reporter‘s Super Bowl cover here.