Coldplay may have come to play Super Bowl 50, but Bruno Mars and Beyoncé came to shut the house down.
This year's halftime show was so exciting -- complete with a 50 yard standoff, a dance battle, and a horn and strings section with young kids playing instruments. In a few words, it was dope. It wasn't the best halftime performance ever in the history of halftime shows, but it landed on the top 10 unofficial rankings of awesome sauce Super Bowl performances.
Check out nine moments from this year's halftime show that got us hype from start to finish.
BRUNO MARS GAVE US SERIOUS #SQUADGOALS
We knew Bruno came ready to serve when he and his crew came on stage rocking all black everything and gold chains. With Mark Ronson on the 1's and 2's, Bruno Mars pulled out his cleanest version of the Nae Nae to kill his Grammy Award winning hit, Uptown Funk.
He was so live that when he stopped singing to introduce Beyoncee, we already knew she was going to make a statement we wouldn't forget.
BEYONCé'S MICHAEL JACKSON/BLACK POWER FLOW
Beyoncé said a thousand words without even opening her mouth for the first few seconds of her performance. This time it was she and her dancer's outfits and their stances that stood out. With her dancers wearing black berets and leather, while the queen herself rocked a custom D Squared black leather jacket, with gold criss cross detailing across her chest, Beyoncé used her star power to reiterate that #BlackLivesMatter.
Not only did she rock a cold, modern-looking Black Panther-esque outfit, she used the nation's most televised event to spread a social message. What was even more slick about her outfit was that it paid homage to the Black Panthers 50 years after the organization launched in 1966.
The only other person who was able to flawlessly pull off the look, coupled with a social message, was Michael Jackson.
Speaking of which, Beyoncé's standout outfit was a tribute to the late King of Pop, who wore something similar during his 1993 Super Bowl performance.
BY THE WAY, BEYONCé KILLED HER PERFORMANCE (AS ALWAYS)
"I did not come to play with you hoes"
That's what she said in her day-old hit, "Formation," but she solidified those words with her performance, and you already know she went hard.
By this time time Beyoncé got two minutes into her set, Super Bowl halftime watchers at home were wondering if it was the Coldplay, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars show, or just the Bruno Mars and Beyoncé show. Or may it was just the Beyoncé show. Regardless, she slaughtered her set, and had us all screaming out loud, "Yasssssss!"
But that wasn't the end of the excitement.
BRUNO MARS TURNED HIS SWAG UP TO 120, AND BEYONCé MATCHED HIS FLY
Bruno Mars was very ready for the next part of the show, which was a dance battle. Of course, he couldn't just walk up and challenge Bey all willy nilly. He had to make sure he didn't overheat the stage as he approached her for battle. Thank goodness his squad was there to cool him off.
Talk about lighting up the stage! By the time Beyoncé and Bruno finished their dance off, everyone was just laid out. Seriously, no one knew what to do with all of that slayage.
THE TRIP SEEN AROUND THE WORLD
I don't think Bruno Mars got Beyoncé's message yesterday - the queen isn't one to be messed with. They had a brief "You don't want none of this" standoff before finishing the rest of the performance. Then we got all of our lives!
THE FINALE ENDED WITH A LOT OF INSPIRATION
The concert ended with Chris Martin, Bruno, and Bey joining up to harmonize to Uptown Funk before Coldplay returned to the stage for "Fix You." As they sang, clips of past Super Bowl performers like Whitney Houston, James Brown, Michael Jackson, and the Rolling Stones were displayed. The songs played during the video tribute, like "Purple Rain," and "Independent Woman," gave depth to the short tribute video, before the group wrapped the performance with a message of love.
This display in the stands was also similar to the one Michael Jackson used in his Superbowl Halftime show performance.
Needless to say, it left everyone feeling all the feels.
AND THEN BEYONCé ANNOUNCES HER NEXT TOUR
The halftime show was lit, but the moment that had black girls grabbing their chest feeling all the feels was the above photo of Miss Tina holding up a Black Power fist with Beyoncee's dancers. This photo alone holds so much #BlackGirlMagic and power, that it may scare a few people. To which I say, good. There's nothing in the world more fierce than a strong black woman empowering more strong black women. #Boom.
Watch the best moments from the halftime show below:
What did you think of this year's performance? Sound off in the comments.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Kimora shares how she’s been able to joyfully watch as her daughter achieves her greatest goals over the years, including becoming Teen Vogue’s September 2023 cover star. In doing so, the runway star reflects on the natural instinct of mothers to desire success for their children but expresses her commitment to letting her daughters make mistakes while providing support.
"It's a mom's natural instinct to want to impose your expectations on your kids. But I'm learning to let my kids make their mistakes and serve as their support,” Kimora shared. “As a mom, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. I just try my best and make sure that the wisdom I pass down comes from a good source."
The Baby Phat founder went on to express concerns about her daughter Aoki's modeling career, fearing she may encounter the “cutthroat” nature of the industry that can cause those within it to feel like they’re not “enough.”
With this in mind, she often reminds Aoki, “to understand that in life you will face rejection because this industry can be so cutthroat. For some, you won't be cool enough, tall enough, or petite enough. I've definitely had my ugly duckling days."
(L-R) Ming Lee Simmons, Aoki Lee Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons attend the Prabal Gurung show during New York Fashion Week: The Show.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows
Although the fashion mogul has managed to balance being in the public eye since she began her modeling career at the age of 13, along with motherhood and running an era-shaping clothing brand, it’s apparent that Kimora understands the importance of staying grounded. “Truly, who even cares?! Easier said than done. I never want her to have to deal with that part of the industry but all I can do is prepare her,” she says.
When you’ve been in the fashion game long enough to set the trends and see them come full circle, it’s natural to desire a level of evolution within the space — from the clothes to the culture. And while Kimora has seen how far the industry has come, she hopes for greater inclusion and support within the industry; especially for women of color.
“Fashion is an ever-changing industry with the same pitfalls. For women of color specifically, it's changed so much but we still have so far to go,” she says. “These brands claim to always have been so inclusive but that doesn't always pan out to be true. I wish people would practice what they preach.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Teen Vogue
