No malfunctions in a Super-sexy halftime show

The rumors turned out to be true. Beyonce did, indeed, reunite Destiny’s Child during the 2013 “Super Bowl Halftime Show” in New Orleans on Sunday.

Mostly, however, the 31-year-old entertainer used the showcase to illustrate all the reasons why she left the band in the first place.

Beyonce shimmered with pure star power throughout the show, delivering the kind of charisma and stage presence that Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Madonna and other dance-pop icons only wish they could summon.

It all looked so easy for Beyonce, despite the fact that she was pretty much in constant motion throughout the show, dancing and singing with passion and style in front of a packed Superdome crowd and a TV audience of megamillions.

And, yes, she was definitely singing — live. There will be no lip-syncing controversy after this Super Bowl performance, like there was from Beyonce’s appearance at the Presidential Inauguration.

She opened the show with an abbreviated version of her great 2003 single “Crazy in Love,” moving quickly into a satisfying snippet of “End of Time” (from her fourth studio album, 2011’s “4”). Then Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland appeared in a flash and the Destiny’s Child reunion was on.

The trio reached into its back catalog for the smash “Independent Women Part I” and then veered into Beyonce’s solo songbook for the hit “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” Then the brief reunion was over, as Beyonce closed the show with her own power ballad “Halo” (from 2008’s “I Am … Sasha Fierce”).

The lone disappointment of the show was that Beyonce’s husband, Jay-Z, didn’t join the festivities for “Crazy in Love.” That would have indeed been “Crazy.”

Beyonce’s outing was just one of the musical highlights at the Super Bowl.

Before the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers even took the playing field, Alicia Keys performed a winning version of the national anthem.

The 14-time Grammy winner, who is scheduled to appear March 10 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, delivered a dramatically different version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It was the polar opposite of some of the high-flying vocal affairs of past Super Bowls, such as Whitney Houston’s memorable tutorial in vocal gymnastics before the 1991 game in Tampa.

Instead, Keys sat at the piano and crooned slowly at the start of the difficult number, handling the words with deliberate care. The rendition was sweet, soft and breathy, exuding a relaxed vibe that seemed nearly impossible for the occasion. Keys showed uncommon restraint at the start, eventually moving to a greater degree of passion as the song steadily built toward a powerful climax.

It was, without a doubt, one of the more memorable national anthems of recent years.

The pregame festivities also included a touching rendition of “America the Beautiful,” performed by Sandy Hook Elementary School students, with substantial help from Jennifer Hudson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Archbishop Murphy players celebrate during a boys soccer game between Archbishop Murphy and Arlington at Arlington High School on Monday, April 15, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Archbishop Murphy routs Arlington 7-0 in boys soccer

Gabe Herrera scores a hat trick, and Zach Mohr contributes two goals for the Wildcats.

The Herald's Athlete of the Week poll.
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for April 8-14

The Athlete of the Week nominees for April 8-14. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Monday, April 15

Prep roundup for Monday, April 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, top, forces out the Seattle Mariners’ Jorge Polanco (7) at second base and makes the throw to first for the double play against Mariners’ Ty France to end the eighth inning of Sunday’s game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Hitting woes plague Mariners again in series loss to Cubs

Seattle ended the weekend 6-10, and the offense has been the main culprit.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith may have been a Pro Bowler, but should Seattle consider prioritizing a quarterback in the NFL draft? (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Should Seahawks prioritize quarterback in draft?

A challenger to Geno Smith is something worth considering for Seattle.

Snohomish's Morgan Gibson returns the ball in her match against Stanwood's Ryann Reep on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. Gibson lost the first set 4-6 but rallied back to win 6-2 in the second and 6-0 in the third. The Panthers bested the Spartans 5-2. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Snohomish girls tennis bests Stanwood, 5-2

Panthers sweep singles, Spartans win first and second doubles

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, April 13

Prep roundup for Saturday, April 13: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Friday, April 12

Prep roundup for Friday, April 12: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Lake Stevens’ Jesse Lewis takes the handoff as the anchor in the 4x400 during a meet Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens track and field retains Pilchuck Cup

Vikings’ David Brown, Jada Sarrys and Arlington’s Dallas Miller were standouts.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, April 11

Prep roundup for Thursday, April 11: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, April 10

Prep roundup for Wednesday, April 10: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

O.J. Simpson stands as he listens to Municipal Judge Kathleen Kennedy-Powell as she reads her decision to hold him over for trial on July 8, 1994, in connection with the June 12 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Simpson, the decorated football superstar and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but later found liable in a separate civil trial, has died. He was 76. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, Pool, File)
OJ Simpson, fallen football hero acquitted of murder, dies at 76

Simpson’s legacy was forever changed by the June 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.