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Internet trolls Alicia Keys as singer kicks off Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance with 'screechy' first note

Alicia Keys began her performance by sitting at a sleek red piano before dropping her cape and joining Usher for the rest of the song

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Alicia Keys was electrifying at the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show. However, the singer ended up being mocked after she began her performance on an unfortunate, yet awful, note.

The Grammy winner appeared with headliner Usher in a Dolce & Gabbana ensemble that included a bejeweled head-to-toe scarlet bodysuit and a billowing red cloak. She displayed her characteristic makeup-free face and braided hair.

Alicia began her performance by sitting at a sleek red piano before dropping her cape and joining Usher for the rest of the song. But fans on X weren't happy.

A user remarked, "This child OPENED HER LIPS and started with a screech. Please keep Alicia Keys off my screen. I pay good money for cable and streaming. I don't deserve this. WE don't deserve this. If she wasn't thick as hell in the catsuit, whole thing would've been a wash."

One user wondered, "HOW ALICIA KEYS COME ON WITH HER VOICE ALREADY CRACKING."

Another user cringed, "ALICIA PIANO KEYS?! THE FIRST NOTE?!" 

One person also joked, "Alicia Keys first note!"

A fifth user asked, "Alicia Keys gonna piss me off, what key was that???" 

Some users quipped, "Alicia find them KEYS baby!!!"

"Alicia Key’s First Note," sighed another. 

 How much money do halftime artists at the Super Bowl make?

The NFL does not pay Super Bowl artists for their performances. None of the performers in the major game will be compensated for their efforts that day.

Even without a paycheck from the NFL, singers may get significant publicity from their halftime show performances, resulting in an increase in song sales and streaming.

What is the cost of Super Bowl halftime show?

Although they will not be putting up large sums of money for performer wages, the NFL still has a significant tab to pay for halftime show production expenditures each year. Even for a set that typically lasts only 15 minutes, it is one of the most costly performances to broadcast.

Each light, explosion, or special effect may add thousands of dollars to the total expenditure. The ultimate sum can occasionally reach millions of dollars.

Brian McCarthy, NFL vice president of communications, told Newsweek in 2022 that the league does not pay halftime entertainers an "appearance fee, but the artists are indeed paid union scale".

However, according to Newsweek, the Jennifer Lopez and Shakira Super Bowl concert would have cost around $1,000 per day under the union deal.

Do other Super Bowl performers get paid?

The NFL covers the musicians' travel fees, which might be a significant benefit given that Las Vegas' private plane parking situation is likely to be absolutely congested. Aside from travel and production fees, all the Super Bowl singers are singing for free.

Whether they see an increase in sales after the Super Bowl perfomance is up to the fans.