Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Super Bowl, delivering a heartfelt tribute during the pre-game coverage on Sunday, Feb. 9.
The pop icon, 38, honored the victims of recent tragedies, including the New Orleans terror attack in January, the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles, and the fatal airplane crashes in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Her tribute also acknowledged those affected by Hurricane Helene. The prerecorded segment was introduced by commentators Michael Strahan and Tom Brady, who wore “NOLA Strong” and L.A. Fire Department T-shirts, respectively.
Strahan, 53, reflected on the strength of New Orleans, stating, “This year began with a terror attack that tried to shatter its spirit. But the resilience of New Orleans is matched by the resolve of our country.” Brady, 47, added, “When tragedy strikes, we don’t break, we come together.”
The performance was accompanied by first responders and other attendees, before the camera focused on Gaga. Seated at a piano and dressed in a white oversized hat and matching bell-sleeve dress, Gaga delivered a powerful rendition of her 2022 ballad, “Hold My Hand,” from Top Gun: Maverick.
The performance came just days after Gaga’s appearance at the 2025 Grammys, where she launched her “Mayhem” era. The musician premiered the music video for her new single, “Abracadabra,” during a commercial break. The video, featuring 40 backup dancers, depicted a battle between Gaga’s light and dark sides. The track is part of her upcoming album, Mayhem, set for release on March 7.
Gaga’s latest singles, “Disease” and “Die with a Smile,” are also featured on the 14-track album. The latter, a collaboration with Bruno Mars, won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys. In a press release, Gaga explained how the album reflects her journey of returning to pop music, saying, “The album started as me facing my fear of returning to the pop music my earliest fans loved.”
Despite the challenges, Gaga likened the creative process to “reassembling a shattered mirror,” noting that even if the pieces couldn’t be perfectly put back together, something beautiful could still emerge.
As the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles prepared to face off at Super Bowl 2025, Gaga’s performance served as a powerful reminder of resilience in the face of adversity.
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