Super Bowl LIX, held on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, showcased a dominant performance by the Philadelphia Eagles, who triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs with a final score of 40-22. This victory secured the Eagles’ second Super Bowl title in seven years, marking a significant achievement for the franchise.
Beyond the action on the field, the event was packed with buzz-worthy moments—from surprise celebrity appearances and standout commercials to unexpected controversies that kept fans talking long after the final whistle.
Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Performance
Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, was a groundbreaking event, marking him as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. When selecting who was to headline the show, many felt that it should have been the rapper Lil Wayne. Critics argued that because Lil Wayne is from Louisiana where the game was taking place, it was the best option.
The performance began with Lamar and his backup dancers emerging from a 1980s Buick GNX onto a stage designed to resemble a giant PlayStation controller. The opening featured a portion of the unreleased song “Bodies.” Samuel L. Jackson made a surprise appearance as Uncle Sam, providing satirical commentary between songs to highlight America’s cultural divide.
Lamar performed “Luther” and “All the Stars” with SZA before teasing a performance of “Not Like Us.” During this segment, professional tennis player Serena Williams, a fellow Compton native, made a cameo as a dancer performing a crip walk, referencing her dance after her 2012 Summer Olympics victory. Some interpreted this appearance as a subtle diss toward rapper Drake, with whom Williams was rumored to have dated years earlier.
The performance concluded with “TV Off,” featuring DJ Mustard as a special guest. Lamar symbolically “turned off the TV,” with the words “GAME OVER” displayed through crowd wristband lights.
The show was briefly interrupted by a protester waving a combination of the Sudanese and Palestinian flags, who was quickly removed by security. Roc Nation later stated that the protest was neither planned nor part of the production.
Overall, Lamar’s performance was a historic and dynamic display, blending music, culture, and social commentary, and was widely praised for its creativity and impact.
Taylor Swift in Attendance
For the second year in a row, Taylor Swift made her appearance at Super Bowl LIX to support her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. At the last Super Bowl, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were celebrating post game after the Chiefs back to back Super Bowl wins.
This year it was different for the two. During the game, many fans started to boo Taylor Swift. This could be because many people believe that she has too much screen time during the NFL, and the NFL is too worried about what pop star is in attendance. She is also known to have grown up a Philadelphia fan but now cheers for Kansas City. In an article with Daily Mail, it stated, “Travis was aware that Taylor was getting booed and he felt helpless. He was already having a tough night and the fact that the stadium was predominantly Eagles fans didn’t help. Travis knows that this hurt her and anyone can see this.”
There were also rumors that Travis Kelce was going to get down on one knee after the game if the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. This unfortunately did not happen so fans will never know if this rumor was actually true.
2025 Memorable Celebrity Commercials
The 2025 Super Bowl commercials were filled with moments that brought humor, nostalgia, and creativity to the big screen.
One of the standout commercials featured Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in a humorous and nostalgic spot for Hellmann’s, where they recreated their iconic scene from “When Harry Met Sally”, bringing back the magic of their classic film chemistry. Fans were delighted to see them together again, delivering the perfect combination of humor and heart.
Another memorable commercial starred Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, and Kris Jenner, who appeared in a fun advertisement for Meta’s new smart glasses. The trio showcased the glasses in a series of humorous moments, with their celebrity charm adding to the appeal of the product.
Antonio Banderas appeared in a commercial for Bosch tools, bringing his confident persona to the commercial as he showcased the power of Bosch’s products. His performance added a touch of sophistication to a typical home improvement ad.
For a more lighthearted moment, Nick Offerman, James Harden and Adam Brody teamed up in a Pringles commercial, where they celebrated legendary mustaches. The ad combined humor and fun to highlight the brand’s spirit.
Lastly, Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara took center stage in a clever Michelob Ultra commercial, which was taken on pickle ball courts. The humorous twist was that the older duo was using the game to earn some refreshing Michelob Ultra beers, making for a memorable and laugh-out-loud commercial.
These commercials had iconic moments, celebrity humor, and creative storytelling, making them some of the most talked-about commercials of the night.
Other Celebrities in Attendance
This Super Bowl had many celebrities in attendance, including TV Stars, retired athletes, Tik Tok influencers, and more. Some of these celebrities included Lady Gaga, Zac Efron, Jessica Alba, Jay-Z with his children, Blue Ivy and Rumi, and Serena Williams, who made an appearance during the halftime show. There were also reality TV stars from the Bachelor and Bachelorette including Tyler Cameron with his girlfriend Tate Madden, recent Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars Champion Joey Graziadei and his fiancee Kelsey Anderson, and Kaitlyn Bristowe who was seen with podcaster (Chicks in the Office) Francesca Mariano. Lastly, there were many athletes in attendance including Tom Brady who is a well known retired quarterback and of course Travis Kelce’s brother, Jason, was in attendance with his wife Kylie.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Super Bowl was filled with memorable moments, including Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance. The performance featured guest appearances, such as Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam and tennis star Serena Williams.
Taylor Swift returned for the second year in a row to support her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. However, she faced boos from the crowd, with rumors circulating about a potential proposal, which didn’t happen after the Chiefs’ loss.
The commercials during the Super Bowl were filled with humor and nostalgia. Highlights included Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal’s Hellmann’s ad, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt promoting Meta’s smart glasses, Antonio Banderas for Bosch tools, and a Pringles commercial featuring Nick Offerman and James Harden.
The event also had stars in the audience, with celebrities like Lady Gaga, Zac Efron, Jay-Z, Serena Williams, and many others in attendance.
