Lady Gaga Provides Fireworks in Halftime Performance
The singer ran through a litany of her greatest hits in an electric Super Bowl halftime performance.
By Eric L. Hinton ••
Now that was a halftime show worthy of a Super Bowl.
Following on the heels of past super bowl performances by Beyonce, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, The Who, Bruno Mars, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Katy Perry, Lady Gaga's show had more fireworks than the lackluster first half of the game.
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Musician Luke Bryan and NFL player Eli Manning attend Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Former Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez looks on prior to Super Bowl 51.
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Rupert Murdoch looks on prior to Super Bowl 51 between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
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Former Houston Rocket and NBA Hall of Famer Yao Ming walks on the sideline before Super Bowl 51.
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Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps is seen during Super Bowl 51 between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Lady Gaga performs during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Singers of the cast of Hamilton, Phillipa Soo, right, Rene Elise Goldsberry, center, and Jasmine Cephas Jones, sing "God Bless America" before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Luke Bryan sings the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, arrive on the field for a coin toss before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Lady Gaga poses on the field for a picture before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Country star Luke Bryan sang the national anthem before kickoff at Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, Texas.
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Astronaut Buzz Aldrin during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Usher poses for photos before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Rapper Lil Jon poses before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Seattle Seahawks' Michael Bennett, left, takes a selfie with actor Mark Wahlberg before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Rapper 2 Chainz looks on prior to Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, Texas.
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TV personality and former NFL player Michael Strahan looks on prior to Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, Texas.
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Donatell Versace posted a photo on Instagram saying "I am ready for the #kickoff! #SB51"
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Olympics Gymnast Simone Biles posted a photo of herself and NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal on Twitter.
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Harry Connick Jr. looks on prior to Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston, Texas.
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Actor Rob Riggle looks on prior to Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
But anyone expecting Gaga, a fervent Hillary Clinton supporter, to use her Super Bowl platform to stage a stinging condemnation of the Donald Trump administration may have come away a bit disappointed. In the days leading up to the game the singer tempered expectations, insisting her Super Bowl halftime show would celebrate "inclusion" and the "spirit of equality" during a time of national division.
"This performance is for everyone. I want to, more than anything, create a moment that everyone that's watching will never forget," she said in a press conference Thursday.
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New England Patriots' Tom Brady raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Head coach Bill Belichick, Tom Brady #12 and LeGarrette Blount #29 of the New England Patriots celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28.
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Matt Ryan reacts at the conclusion of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with Dwight Freeney #93 of the Atlanta Falcons after Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28.
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Shea McClellin #58, Trey Flowers #98 and Alan Branch #97 of the New England Patriots celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime to win Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Confetti falls after the Patriots defeat the Falcons 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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New England Patriots' James White scores the winning touchdown between Atlanta Falcons' Jalen Collins, left, and Robert Alford during overtime of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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James White #28 of the New England Patriots celebrates rushing for a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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New England Patriots' Julian Edelman makes a catch as Atlanta Falcons' Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal defend, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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James White #28 of the New England Patriots scores a two point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against New England Patriots' Eric Rowe (25) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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The Atlanta Falcons mascot stands on the sideline with cheerleaders during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Atlanta Falcons' Grady Jarrett sacks New England Patriots' Tom Brady during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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New England Patriots' James White (28) dives to the end zone against Atlanta Falcons' Jalen Collins for a touchdown during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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New England Patriots fans react after Atlanta Falcons' Tevin Coleman's touchdown during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown on a 6 yard reception over Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots in the third quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Lady Gaga performs during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LI at NGR Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 5, 2017.
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Lady Gaga performs during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Lady Gaga performs during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Lady Gaga performs during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Lady Gaga performs during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Atlanta Falcons player Brian Poole and New England Patriots player Danny Amendola go face to face during second quarter action. The Atlanta Falcons play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 5, 2017.
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Cheerleaders perform during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Robert Alford #23 of the Atlanta Falcons runs past Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots to score a touchdown on a 82 yard interception against the New England Patriots in the second quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after scoring a touchdown on a 19 yard pass against the New England Patriots in the second quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb.5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick complains to head linesman Kent Payne (79), during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons runs for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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C.J. Goodwin #29 of the Atlanta Falcons breaks up a pass intended for Malcolm Mitchell #19 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a sack in the first quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons carries the ball during the first quarter of Super Bowl 51 against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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A general view of the field during Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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New England Patriots' Julian Edelman is up ended by Atlanta Falcons' Philip Wheeler, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Former US President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush are introduced prior to Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Cheerleaders perform prior to Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Country music artist Luke Bryan sings the national anthem before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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The Atlanta Falcons are introduced prior to Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
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Atlanta Falcons fan Todd Carter of Atlanta, is seen before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
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New England Patriots fans watch the pre game warm ups at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 5, 2017.
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New England Patriots' Tom Brady warms up before the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.
To that end Gaga was as good as her word. She opened her performance singing "God Bless America" on top of Reliant Stadium as red, white and blue drones above took the form of the American flag.
"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," Gaga said, before breaking into a litany of her hits. The performance included practically every staple in her catalog, including "Born This Way," "Bad Romance," "Telephone," "Just Dance" and more.
In honor of Super Bowl LI, host Jimmy Fallon hands out accolade to Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots players for things like “Most Likely to Be Drake’s Wii Avatar.”
At the end of her set she literally dropped the mic and lept from view as fireworks eruptrf from the stadium.
Celebrities and viewers, including Hillary Clinton, praised Gaga on social media for her performance.
