West News Wire: Super Bowl 57’s celebrity halftime show, which Rihanna vows will be “jam-packed,” will be the focal point of the extras.
The 13-minute mini-extravaganza, her first live performance in seven years, is only a small portion of the entertainment spectacle that will be taking place in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday for the big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
The challenge and scrutiny of singing the national anthem will fall on Chris Stapleton, who has recently swept country music accolades.
“Singing the national anthem is not an easy tune. It’s one that, as we’ve frequently witnessed in the past, could go tragically wrong “Stapleton stated during a press conference prior to the game. “But if you’re gonna do it, this is the place to do it. I’m gonna go out there and play. And play it like I play it.”
The length of the anthem has become one of the countless game elements up for betting. Oddsmakers have put the over-under on Stapleton’s “Star Spangled Banner” at 2 minutes, 5 seconds.
This being the Super Bowl, one anthem is not enough. R&B legend Babyface will perform “America the Beautiful.”
And “Abbot Elementary” star Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing what’s been dubbed the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Famous faces are bound to be seen throughout the stands. Some will care more about the outcome than others. The Eagles count Kevin Hart and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Rob McElhenney among their biggest fans. Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis pull hard for the Chiefs.
Many stars have made the scene at Super Bowl week parties.
And many others, including John Travolta and Alicia Silverstone, will show up in the big game’s big commercials.
