Though people might be gathering around their TV screens to watch the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs for Super Bowl LVIII tonight, much of the discussion about advertisements, on-field plays, unexpected moments and celebrity appearances will be happening online.
From Beyoncé’s announcement to fans watching Usher’s halftime show to Taylor Swift‘s reactions, the best memes and internet moments of the night are on our radar, and we’ll be explaining them along the way.
Beyoncé’s hint about new music gets fans talking
The superstar sent fans into a frenzy after teasing new music in a Verizon ad, which she confirmed shortly afterward. She posted on Instagram that Renaissance Part II will come out on March 29.
Nickelodeon features appearances from faux celebrities
One of kids’ favorite TV channels just can’t stop going viral. The SpongeBob-themed Super Bowl broadcast featured appearances from fictionalized celebrities like “Herring Styles” and “Billie Eelish.”
Usher’s halftime show performance resurfaces an old meme
Footage of Usher’s performance at a 2022 NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert went viral again as fans reacted to his halftime greatest hits medley. In the clip, Usher mouths “watch this” while gesturing toward his eyes.
Justin Bieber didn’t join Usher on stage, as fans hoped
Fans were gearing up for an appearance by Justin Bieber during Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show. Usher was Bieber’s mentor at the beginning of his career, and the two collaborated on the song “Somebody to Love” in 2010. Bieber was spotted in Las Vegas with the Kardashians, but he didn’t take the stage.
Travis Kelce yells at Coach Andy Reid
A flustered Travis Kelce got heated in a brief conversation with his coach, grabbing his arm and yelling. Though some fans were concerned, others made jokes about the quick but emotional exchange, imagining what Kelce might have been saying to Reid.
HER SISTER WAS A WITCH, RIGHT? AND WHAT WAS HER SISTER? A PRINCESS, THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST BRO. YOU’RE GONNA LOOK AT ME AND YOU’RE GONNA TELL ME THAT I’M WRONG? pic.twitter.com/kYuwcJiAeU
— Katie Maraghy (@KatieMaraghy) February 12, 2024
Ice Spice poses while her friends cheer
While Taylor Swift and Blake Lively were celebrating a play on the field, Ice Spice struck a pose and looked directly at the camera, becoming a meme for the second time tonight.
Taylor Swift’s reactions
Shots of the pop star’s reaction to the game have been a staple this football season. Whether she’s looking annoyed, nervous or just chugging her drink, Taylor Swift is seemingly always ripe for meme treatment from her fans.
Nickelodeon’s coverage of the Super Bowl calls Travis Kelce ‘Taylor Swift’s boyfriend’
The broadcast of the big game on the children’s TV channel has a number of iconic cartoon references, including sideline reporter Sandy Cheeks and commentator SpongeBob SquarePants. One of the most frequently memed shots shows Kelce identified as Swift’s boyfriend, rather than the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.
Jason Kelce chatting with Taylor Swift and Ice Spice
Taylor Swift made it to boyfriend Travis Kelce’s big game with plenty of time to spare — and celebrity pals in tow. A viral photo shows Swift with rapper Ice Spice, known for her bright orange afro, chatting with Travis’s brother, Jason Kelce. It became a meme as people shared what they imagined the artist and football player chatted about.
Paramount+ glitches
Viewers streaming the Super Bowl on Paramount+ joked about how they had trouble with their feeds frequently pausing and crashing, using memes to express their frustration.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates!
Carol Dennis is an entertainment aficionado with an eye for all things pop culture. She dives into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, from movie premieres to music festivals. Carol’s passion for storytelling extends beyond her reporting, as she’s an aspiring screenwriter in her free time.
