Apple Music’s Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show starring Usher has received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the 76th Emmy Awards, which will be broadcast live on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. This marks a notable achievement for Usher, earning him his first Emmy nod.
Usher‘s halftime show is up against other major live events, including the 66th Grammy Awards, the 76th Annual Tony Awards, The Oscars, and The Greatest Roast Of All Time: Tom Brady. The nomination places Usher’s performance among the top live broadcasts of the year, showcasing its impact and reach.
The show also secured nominations in two additional categories: Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special and Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork For A Special. While these technical categories do not directly nominate Usher, they highlight the high production values and technical excellence of the performance.
The Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, which took place on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, featured Usher along with special appearances by Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Lil Jon, and Ludacris. According to the NFL, it was the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show ever, with over 129.3 million viewers tuning in.
Usher reflected on the significance of the performance, stating, “I always intended for this show to be a celebration of my 30-year career. The energy from the crew, the fans in the stadium, and the guest performers made this a milestone event for me. I’m thrilled that everyone enjoyed it, and my aim was to bring people together through music and performance.”
In addition to his Super Bowl success, Usher was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards, recognizing his substantial contributions to the music industry over the past three decades.
Following his Emmy-nominated performance, Usher is set to begin the Past Present Future Tour, starting in Atlanta on Aug. 14. This tour will run through spring 2025 and include stops in key North American cities such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Phoenix. The North American leg will conclude on Nov. 30 in Houston.
The tour will then head overseas, beginning on April 1, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London. Usher will perform in several European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin, before returning to London for the final shows on May 5 and May 6. This tour aims to showcase Usher’s musical journey, offering fans an opportunity to experience his live performances across different stages of his career.
Usher’s Emmy nomination and the extensive tour underscore his ongoing influence in the music industry. As he prepares for these live performances and awaits the Emmy results, Usher continues to reinforce his status as a significant figure in contemporary music. Fans can look forward to experiencing his dynamic presence both on stage and through his celebrated Super Bowl performance.
