‘The American Carnival’: Halftime energy rankings Part 3
Summarize this content material to max 500 phrases in an expert sports activities journalism information fashion, highlighting key info:
“The American Carnival” is a yearlong cultural examination of the influence of the Super Bowl halftime present far past leisure. Through historical past, politics, race, economics and music, the sequence explores how 12 minutes on the most-watched stage within the nation usually say extra about America than the contest itself.
It’s September, the NFL campaign simply kicked off, and all feels proper on the planet once more. Well, not “right,” however you perceive the thrill I’m making an attempt to painting right here. Yet, even because the campaign begins, one of many main questions of the the ball calendar is presumably nearer to being answered.
Who’s going to headline halftime on the Super Bowl?
Over the previous 4 years, halftime present bulletins for Rihanna, Usher, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny all landed by the beginning of October. There’s no cause to anticipate in any other case now. That being mentioned, anticipate this to be our final halftime energy rankings. One obvious change you’ll discover is the omission of Ariana Grande. Last month, the Wicked star introduced she is stepping again from public life following her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which wrapped up Sept. 1 in London.
So, earlier than the NFL, Roc Nation and Apple Music reveal who will grace the stage in February, right here’s a closing try at predicting who has the very best shot.
‘The American Carnival’: Halftime energy rankings Part 2 – Andscape Read now
10. Harry Styles
His “Together Together” tour has been an enormous success — a lot in order that he’s contemplating taking it nationwide after his grand Madison Square Garden residency. It’s price contemplating, however I don’t see this as the first cause he can be picked for the Super Bowl.
9. SZA
She all however confirmed new music is coming quickly. If that’s the case, I’ll be the final individual complaining. Still, seeing her on the Super Bowl stage in 5 months appears far-fetched.
8. Taylor Swift
We already addressed the Ariana Grande of all of it, however Swift continues to drop in our rankings. It isn’t due to her star energy — few individuals on the planet can match her standing — however primarily as a result of as every week passes, there may be little expectation she’s going to take the stage. Make no misstep, although: It’s hers at any time when she desires it.
‘The American Carnival’: Halftime energy rankings – Andscape Read now
7. Olivia Rodrigo
Rodrigo has one in all my favourite album titles of the yr in you appear fairly unhappy for a woman so in love. She’s already a preeminent pop star who chronicles love and heartbreak. It wouldn’t shock me if Rodrigo is picked for the halftime stage within the subsequent few years. Her “Daisy Chains Fields” pageant, which she launched this summer time, was an amazing success. It simply doesn’t really feel like that is her yr. That’s actually the one cause she’s not greater on this record.
6. Dua Lipa
There’s recent hypothesis of a brand new album within the works. Had that information arrived earlier this yr, Dua would probably be greater on the record. Much like Olivia Rodrigo, she stays an apparent alternative for a future Super Bowl stage — maybe Atlanta in 2028?
5. Charli XCX
Charli XCX attends the 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” on the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4 in New York City.Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Cultural Momentum: 7/10
Catalog Infrastructure: 9/10
Storyline: 8/10
Showtime Acumen: 9/10
NFL Compatibility: 8/10
Halftime Probability Score: 41/50
The Case For: Charli XCX’s willingness to continuously reinvent herself and her sound is her most admirable high quality. Just take heed to this yr’s Music, Fashion, Film. Between the worldwide phenomenon of 2024’s Brat and her present sound, she is clearly a pop star snug in her personal pores and skin and inventive bag. That alone makes a robust argument for Charli to headline the largest stage in music.
The Case Against: Now the query is, will she? For every little thing Charli has going for her — which is loads, therefore her touchdown on the No. 5 slot — the energy doesn’t appear to be there proper now. If there’s one factor latest halftime reveals have confirmed, energy is essential.
4. Cardi B
Cardi B is seen on Aug. 3 in New York City.Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Cultural Momentum: 8/10
Catalog Infrastructure: 9/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime Acumen: 10/10
NFL Compatibility: 9/10
Halftime Probability Score: 45/50
The Case For: Cardi B holds a doctoral diploma in spectacle. Forget the songs — although she has loads — you already know Cardi goes to do one thing. Like the opposite artists on this record, her catalog is deep. She’s received the chums to deliver out to make this a celebration. And she is aware of the way to celebration. Give her quarter-hour on stage, and I assure she could have everybody speaking. Let’s hope this yr’s Super Bowl is extra aggressive and entertaining than the previous two, as a result of Cardi would possibly simply usurp the contest itself.
The Case Against: Then once more, unpredictability generally is a detriment, too. Not understanding what Cardi has deliberate may trigger a number of sleepless nights and nervousness medicine refills within the league workplaces. The display can be memorable. Just how memorable would the NFL need it to be, although?
3. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is seen on May 22 in Los Angeles.PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Cultural Momentum: 8/10
Catalog Infrastructure: 10/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime Acumen: 10/10
NFL Compatibility: 9/10
Halftime Probability Score: 46/50
The Case For: If any artist’s possibilities have skyrocketed over the past month, it’s Cyrus. It is smart. Her star energy is unquestionable, and a possible set record of “Party In The U.S.A.,” her cowl of Dolly Parton’s iconic “Jolene,” “We Can’t Stop,” and definitely her two-time Grammy-winning “Flowers” — the latter two belonging to YouTube’s “Billion Views Club” — is sufficient to promote her candidacy. Cyrus’ musical evolution additionally suits the Super Bowl stage completely. Few artists can seamlessly transition between rock, pop and nation so effortlessly.
The Case Against: We’ve already defined her star energy and deep catalog. She additionally has a surplus of charisma. The query, very like Charli XCX, is whether or not large reputation is sufficient. What is her “why now”? Maybe that isn’t a difficulty in any respect, however Roc Nation has been extraordinarily intentional with its choice at this stage. The query is whether or not Miley is a halftime present that Los Angeles goes to get, or a worldwide famous person with the bangers to command one. Honestly, it’s a superb downside to have.
Michael Jackson and the evening the Super Bowl stood nonetheless – Andscape Read now
2. JAŸ-Z
JAŸ-Z earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Cote D’Ivoire and Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14.Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Cultural Momentum: 10/10
Catalog Infrastructure: 9/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime Acumen: 9/10
NFL Compatibility: 10/10
Halftime Probability Score: 47/50
The Case For: If the NFL actually wished this to be a few definitive cultural second, Shawn “JAŸ-Z” Carter is the selection right here. The working relationship is there, and specializing in the halftime present, it’s been extraordinarily helpful to each events, as hip-hop has change into a defining drive of latest halftime reveals underneath him. But a halftime present that includes JAŸ himself can be totally completely different. Not solely may he weave via large hits like “Run This Town,” “Empire State of Mind,” “PSA,” “Encore” and extra — the potential company he may entice to share the second would have individuals speaking for years.
The Case Against: Few causes exist to say no to JAŸ-Z, but when we should nitpick, listed below are a number of: He performs two reveals at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in October. Would he return simply 4 months later to carry out on the Super Bowl? It’s an insane query to ask, however it’s a related one. The pun-intended blueprint is true there for him: the architect of the trendy halftime present taking the stage himself. But the obvious alternative isn’t at all times the one chosen. This isn’t about whether or not JAŸ-Z can do the halftime present and enhance his legend much more. Of course he can. The query is whether or not there’s sufficient incentive for him to need to do it.
1. Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber performs on the halftime present in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 in East Rutherford, N.J.Eduardo Carmim/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Cultural Momentum : 9/10
Catalog Infrastructure: 10/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime Acumen: 10/10
NFL Compatibility: 10/10
Halftime Probability Score: 48/50
The Case For: JAŸ-Z might need the very best case for No. 1, however Bieber has the very best case for really getting booked. Outside of possibly Taylor Swift, no candidate screams “how the hell has he not done this yet?” louder than Bieber. I received’t even hassle operating via his catalog, however it’s extra sturdy than the asteroid that worn out the dinosaurs. Global viewers? Check. Hits? C’mon now. And I’ve come round to this: His display on the 2026 FIFA World Cup really helps his argument. Booking Bieber feels much less like a enjoyable chance and extra like a field the NFL must examine.
The Case Against: The dude has been well-known for greater than half his life, carrying a weight most individuals by no means see. I’ve at all times mentioned this about Bieber in these rankings: He has to need to do it. And which means compressing one of the vital prolific careers of the twenty first century right into a 12- to 15-minute set that not solely entertains however defines who he’s.
Justin Tinsley is a senior tradition author for Andscape. He firmly believes “Cash Money Records takin’ ova for da ’99 and da 2000” is the only most impactful assertion of his technology.
