Super Bowl Halftime Show 2026: Before Bad Bunny's Performance, 18 Most Shocking Moments

From Beyoncé's power outage to Kendrick Lamar's political statement, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has seen its fair share of shocking moments over the years.

Feb. 8, 2026 at 11:47am

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The Super Bowl Halftime Show has long been one of the most anticipated musical events of the year, with major artists taking the stage to perform their biggest hits in front of a massive global audience. However, the show has also been the site of numerous shocking and headline-grabbing moments, from wardrobe malfunctions to political statements. As music superstar Bad Bunny prepares to take the stage for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, this article looks back at 18 of the most shocking moments in the history of the iconic performance.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most watched television events of the year, with over 100 million viewers tuning in to see the world's biggest music stars perform. As such, the show has become a platform for artists to make powerful statements and generate major headlines, often sparking conversations around issues like gender double standards, political activism, and the changing landscape of the music industry.

The details

The article covers 18 different shocking moments from Super Bowl Halftime Show performances over the years, ranging from Beyoncé's 2013 "Blackout Bowl" to Kendrick Lamar's politically-charged 2025 set. Other notable moments include Usher's impromptu shirtless performance in 2024, Katy Perry's "Left Shark" incident in 2015, and the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" between Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake in 2004. The piece also highlights other high-profile Halftime Show performances, such as those by Madonna, The Weeknd, and Rihanna.

  • The 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Show, featuring Beyoncé, was interrupted by a 34-minute power outage.
  • Usher's shirtless moment occurred during his 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.
  • Katy Perry's "Left Shark" incident took place during her 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show set.
  • The "wardrobe malfunction" between Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake happened during the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
  • Kendrick Lamar's politically-charged performance took place at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

The players

Beyoncé

A legendary pop and R&B singer who has headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show and experienced a power outage during her performance.

Usher

A popular R&B singer who had a memorable shirtless moment during his 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show set.

Katy Perry

A chart-topping pop star whose 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show featured the infamous "Left Shark" incident.

Janet Jackson

A renowned R&B singer who was involved in the controversial "wardrobe malfunction" with Justin Timberlake during the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Justin Timberlake

A successful pop and R&B artist who performed with Janet Jackson during the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show, leading to the "wardrobe malfunction" scandal.

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What they’re saying

“The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men, up for success. It's designed this way. As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this. Because of my ignorance, I didn't recognise it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again.”

— Justin Timberlake (Instagram)

The takeaway

The Super Bowl Halftime Show has become a platform for artists to make bold statements and generate major headlines, often sparking important conversations around issues like gender equality, political activism, and the music industry's power dynamics. As the world eagerly awaits Bad Bunny's 2026 performance, it's clear that the Halftime Show will continue to be a source of both musical excellence and shocking moments that captivate audiences worldwide.