A halftime show that Rihanna’s promises will be ‘stuffed to bursting’ will be sitting in the center of celebrity supplements for Super Bowl 57.
But the 13-minute mini-extravaganza, its first live event in seven years, is just part of the sideshow surrounding Sunday’s big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Chris Stapleton, who has dominated country music awards in recent years, will rise to the challenge and scrutiny of sing the national anthem.
“The national anthem is not an easy song for singers. It’s one that can go wrong as we’ve seen many times in the past,” Stapleton said at a media event during the build-up to the game. “But if you’re going to, this is the place to do it.” I will go there and play. And play it like I play it.
The length of the anthem has become one of countless elements of the game to bet on. Bettors put the over-under on Stapleton’s “Star Spangled Banner” at 2 minutes, 5 seconds.
This being the Super Bowl, an anthem is not enough. R&B legend Babyface will perform “America the Beautiful.”
And the star “Abbot Elementary” Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing what has been dubbed the black national anthem“Raise every voice and sing.”
Famous faces are inevitable to see in 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 are shooting hard for the Chiefs.
Many stars made the scene at Super Bowl Week Parties.
And many others, including John Travolta and Alicia Silverstonewill appear in major advertisements for the big game.
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Follow AP Entertainment writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
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