Britney Spears fans were in a frenzy yesterday at news the pop princess was in line to headline the 2018 Super Bowl Halftime Show, sponsored by Pepsi.
A move that would’ve seen the songstress follow the likes of Madonna, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga, reports dominated the Web with “receipts” indicating next year would indeed see Spears lip syncing for her life on the world’s biggest stage. And, if true, the announcement also suggested (like acts before her) the potential of her following the event with updates on a tour or new album.
Well, the dreams of all the aforementioned have been dashed.
Pepsi served members of the singer’s beloved #BritneyArmy a taste of bad news recently when an executive from the mega-corporation expressly denied Spears will be 2018’s headliner.
“I can tell you it’s not Britney [Spears],” executive Justin Toman told MAC Presents founder Marcie Allen, who asked for a hint about the next year’s music performer during a panel…
“We’ll reveal in due time,” he teased, adding that performer “rumors always start around this time.”
Earlier this year, Toman detailed the qualities sought in headliners:
“It’s one of those cases where you look at the small set of the people that could pull that kind of a show off,” he said.
“Sets up in seven minutes, it’s a 12-minute show, and they have to break it all down again in seven minutes. In those 12 minutes of the show, someone has to deliver power, punch, performance, singing, lights…. who has the reach, the social following, the album sales, who’s trending, who’s in cycle?”