Alicia Keys will always be Usher’s boo—at least, that’s what the duo proved in front of 65,000 fans tonight at Super Bowl 58. The singer, songwriter, beauty entrepreneur, and theater producer surprised football fans on Sunday night by taking the field during halftime in a stunning red bodysuit covered with crystals.
After Usher opened his act in custom Dolce & Gabbana with “Caught Up” (absolute banger) followed by “Love in this Club” (another banger), the camera dramatically panned to the right. There, Keys sat at a candy apple-red lacquered piano under a single spotlight. She was styled by Jason Bolden in a Dolce & Gabbana catsuit with Swarovski crystals that perfectly matched the piano and a dramatic organza cape.
Anybody who was sentient in the early ’00s instantly knew why she was there: The two singers released their hit “My Boo” in 2004, as part of Usher’s incredibly successful Confessions album.
Photo: Getty Images
In a 2016 essay for the now-inoperative Lenny Letter, Keys famously shared that she was no longer wearing makeup. While she recently told Vogue that her relationship to cosmetics had shifted again in the years since, Keys still appeared to be makeup-light (and glowy!) under the Allegiant Stadium lights. (The beauty look was by makeup artist Dotti, and hair by Fesa Nu.)
Keys was just one of many guest stars that our Winter Issue digital cover star brought to Vegas: Usher’s performance also included H.E.R., a group of incredibly talented roller skate artists, and Ludacris. The hits simply didn’t stop—and, needless to say, we’re booking tickets to see Usher’s new tour ASAP.
