Why didn't The Weeknd get Ariana Grande or Daft Punk? Super Bowl LV fans ask ‘what did you spend $7 million on’
Who is The Weeknd's mystery performer? That was the number one question on all minds as The Weeknd sizzled on the stage of this year’s biggest sports event — the Super Bowl LV. Yes, the global R&B star headlined the Halftime show of the 55th edition of the event and was showered with both — brickbats and bouquets. But, fans wanted more.
No sooner was the 'Starboy' singer announced as the Halftime performer, fans had been wondering who could be his counterpart. Quashing all rumors, the singer said, "I've been reading a lot of rumors. There wasn't any room to fit it in the narrative and the story I was telling in the performance. So there's no special guests, no." But fans didn't give up hope.
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According to reports, the halftime show was prepared for over six months. A lot of work and preparation went behind it, including $7 million of the Weeknd’s own money. Woah! Now, that did spark wild theories and numerous names popped up on social media.
Last year, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira shared the stage with Bad Bunny and J Balvin. So, it wasn't difficult for The Weeknd to bring a surprise guest along too.
‘What did you spend the extra money on?’
Much before the performance started, fans wondered if he was asked to "tone it down" and then asked "what did you really spend extra money on?"
"They told The Weeknd to tone it down for the halftime show as if it would be as offensive as J Lo’s singing last year," one tweet read and another said, "What did you spend the extra money on!!! Seven million extra dollars REALLY!!! That sucked so bad. Couldn’t wait till it was over. I wish I could get paid to run around like an idiot and slam into each other too #worstsuperbowlhalftimeever."
They told The Weeknd to tone it down for the halftime show as if it would be as offensive as J. Lo’s singing last year
— bretty spaghetty (@brett_spaghett) February 8, 2021
What did you spend the extra money on !!! Seven million extra dollars REALLY!!! That sucked so bad. Couldn’t wait till it was over. I wish I could get paid to run around like a idiot and slam into each other too #worstsuperbowlhalftimeever
— Jenna Garcia (@JennaFroggy80) February 8, 2021
Nonetheless, the mystery around the performer alongside The Weeknd wasn't over. Among the countless names floating around on the Internet, a few were: Daft Punk, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
Steal a glance at the rumored performers here:
Ariana Grande
Fans felt The Weeknd should've called her for a surprise, don't you think she deserved it?
just waiting for @ArianaGrande to randomly come out during @theweeknd ‘s performance.... ummmm #SuperBowl
— lean ☁️ (@leanjavellana) February 8, 2021
The moon in the background of @theweeknd is giving me flashbacks from @ArianaGrande concert
— Amanda (@kaz_amanda) February 8, 2021
Daft Punk
"You know it would be really cool if daft punk randomly showed up during the halftime show with The Weeknd," one fan said.
You know it would be really cool if daft punk randomly showed up during the halftime show with The Weeknd that would be pretty cool aha ha please
— yosh (@nogginyosh) February 8, 2021
BUT THE WEEKND IS PERFORMING REAL SOON I CAN'T WAIT PLS GIVE US SURPRISE DAFT PUNK
— Remy (@3a_pk) February 8, 2021
Kendrick Lamar
Raise your hands if you wanted to listen to 'Pray For Me'...
Honestly @theweeknd should bring Kendrick Lamar and do “Pray For Me” as a nod to Chadwick Boseman.
— Ms. Kane (@JKane_EISD) February 8, 2021
I was expecting The Weeknd to bring out Kendrick or Drake but I forgot he had some of these songs
— Joe (@JosePippen33) February 8, 2021
Drake
Could Drake have been the one? Sob sob!
If we wasn't in a pandemic best believe The Weeknd would've brought out Drake for this halftime show
— The Dirk Diggler (@ChuckTaylor516) February 8, 2021
The *only* time I will brag about living in Toronto is to conveniently remind people it's where the Weeknd is from. Ok, Drake too.
— Béatrice Copps, MD (@drcopps) February 8, 2021
Rosalía
Fans said if Rosalía was there, they wouldn't have hated Super Bowl LV 2021 as much.
If The Weeknd brings Rosalia I PROMISE I WONT HATE THE SUPER BOWLS AS MUCH AS I DO
— Ashley Picos (@AshleyPicos) February 8, 2021
Maluma
Some thought Maluma would pop out and others said not bringing him was a missed opportunity.
Was I the only one waiting for @maluma to pop out and sing with @theweeknd ??? #SuperBowl https://t.co/YwQH6yu5nL
— Raj (@Rajeh_KS) February 8, 2021
To not include @maluma, at the #HalfTimeShow in #SBLV, to sing part of the “Hawaii” (english version), was not a hood move by @theweeknd . So much Spanish speaking in FL... missed opportunity! #boring
— Sylvia H. (@SylviaSylvet) February 8, 2021
Now, fans can't stop crying about why The Weeknd didn't actually bring anyone? Sigh. What was your guess and who would you have wanted to see on the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show stage? Tell us in the comments below.
The 2021 Super Bowl halftime show began at around 8 pm ET, approximately 90 minutes after kickoff. Super Bowl LV — played on February 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida — kicked off at 6.30 pm ET.
