Getty
Sure, there were a ton of people tuning into the Super Bowl to watch the New England Patriots face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, but for us the big game was all about one thing: Justin Timberlake's halftime performance.
His last appearance at the big game was met with major backlash in 2004, after he exposed Janet Jackson's breast during her performance. With that memory still in the minds of many, the big question was whether she'd join him on stage in Minneapolis, something she shut down on Saturday. Some also hoped NSYNC would pop up -- like Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams did when Beyonce rocked the stage in 2013 -- or Chris Stapleton, who he shares a duet with on his new album.
Universal Pictures
Watch Every Movie Trailer, TV Sneak Peek and Celebrity Commercial Released on Super Bowl Sunday
View StoryTimberlake denied any of them would join him ... and he wasn't lying.
JT began his set "Filthy," rocking a fringe leather jacket and dancing below the field, before making his way to the main stage singing "Rock Your Body" -- the same song he was performing when he tore of Janet's top. His medley of hits also included "SexyBack," "My Love" and "Cry Me River." He slipped on a camo suit to perform "Suit and Tie" with a full band, before moving to the piano to sing "Until the End of Time" and Prince's "I Would Die 4 U," with a video screen of the legendary singer. As that happened, the lights in the city all turned purple.
He followed that up with his song "Mirrors" and "Can't Stop the Feeling" -- which he performed in the stands.
NBC
What Flu? P!nk Crushes National Anthem at the Super Bowl
View StoryA few celebrities chimed in on his use of Prince, both in defense and against:
Okay punkass justin Timberlake. You was cool till you pulled that Prince bullshit. You dissed Prince on a track of yours and you dissed him onstage when you lowered the mic stand onstage when prince won an award. Later for ya ass
@sinbadbad
And then ANGER!!! To bring out Prince to improve this mediocrity is a damn embarrassment. I'm fumin #HalftimeShow
@CynthiaEriVo
Justin Timberlake: I'm going to perform at the Super Bowl with a Prince hologram.
@jemelehill
Prince (from the grave): pic.twitter.com/IhwAbcZwKm
Not down with the dead Prince duet.
@scottderrickson
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE
@GabbySidibe
My feeling mo mixed than a bag of party Chex.
@GabbySidibe
When you really miss Prince!! I'm here for this yall!! pic.twitter.com/6zxeGAtIQJ
@Lesdoggg
NICE #JustinTimberlake adding dat #Prince #PurpleRain Minnesota effect! 😍😎🙌🏾💜💜
@MsVivicaFox
I'm so IRRITATED! You don't do PRINCE like that!!!!! It was NOT A GOOD TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND! PRINCE IS MY FAVORITE ARTIST...THIS WAS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED A TRIBUTE TO PRINCE SHOULD LOOK LIKE!!!
@IAMSARASTOKES
prince stole the show #HalftimeShow
@RydelLynch
The MLK truck commercial and them using Prince singing I Would *Die* 4 U at halftime were both in bad taste imo. No one said “maybe not the song win the word DIE in it?!
@markhoppus
The Prince tribute would've been cool... except Prince specifically said he didn't want that, right? Even in death, Prince continues to be misunderstood.
@adamcbest
Here's what else Hollywood is saying about the performance in general:
Maybe the best halftime show ever. (Next to U2). JT for POTUS!#SuperBowl2018
@RobLowe
Inadvertently and unwillingly saw the halftime show while eating at the bar.
@Bourdain
I feel myself spiraling into a deep dark hole of rage and depression .
I consulted with my 10 year old daughter. Tragedy averted. I feel validated pic.twitter.com/W5PjnWi5QJ
@Bourdain
@jtimberlake that was FIIIIIIRE 🙌 so many tunes!! And moves I need to learn asap #SuperBowl
@ToveLo
My friend @JTimberlake just killed it. #SuperBowl #JustinTimberlake pic.twitter.com/oZv0YcxsrN
@TheEllenShow
#justintimberlake is that kid from your suburb who went rogue and went to school in Missoula and came home after the first semester with a high score on BuckHunter and a love of Skoal. K. You're from Orlando.
@iliza
#HalftimeShow #justintimberlake two words...CLASS ACT
@EvangelineLilly
And that's how it's done .... Mr. @jtimberlake
@RealHughJackman
Well done @jtimberlake you killed it! #nfl #pepsihalftime
@NSYNC
Wow wow wow! Best halftime of all time!!!!!! Way to go @jtimberlake that just made me so proud!!!!
@IamCKirkpatrick
YESSSSS!!!! THAT IS HOW YOU DO IT!! Magic. Loved THAT! See you in a few. #PepsiHalftime #JustinTimberlake
@jimmyfallon
JT Lit It Up 🔥🔥 on the SB halftime show !! #justintimberlake #prince 🙌🏾
@DwightHoward
Camden loved the Trolls song. Thanks Justin! Great job! https://t.co/0Fh2QI3SAz
@JohnSchaech
Thanks to Justin Timberlake's shirt & bandana for the #WestWorld #SuperbowlHalftimeShow shout out. 🤙🏾
@jfreewright
I really really enjoyed Justin Timberlake on super Bowl halftime wow
@DianaRoss
I hate this song but my opinions are hella unpopular so its whatever...
@GabbySidibe
Well dayum this is what a child friendly performance literally looks like #SuperBowl52 😂
@Porsha4real
#JustinTimberlake is a fucking fantastic performer. I loved that half time show!!!
@MusicKillsKate
Justin Timberlake is a true star. every opportunity he gets, he always proves that. period. #PepsiHalftime
@AubreyODay
@jtimberlake adopt me .. thanks #PepsiHalftime
@VINNYVINSANE
Rethinking this entire Justin Timberlake halftime situation and realizing I just can't forgive him for what he did to Britney and Janet Jackson. You heard me. #GaySuperBowl
@kathygriffin
Tom Brady's daughter rockin out to Justin Timberlake at halftime pic.twitter.com/PAJUWWPnNc
@SInow
Keep reading for more funny and/or critical tweets about the performance:
Did I watch the same halftime show as everyone else?? #JustinTimberlake #Halftime pic.twitter.com/iYs3zeGwdj
@br3tt_butler
*NSYNC didn't come out because? #PepsiHalftime #JustinTimberlake pic.twitter.com/gbSmQcnbVg
@Shaebeeofficial
who wore it better: justin timberlake or mac os sierra? pic.twitter.com/F0J6heUkAr
@gabebergado
Gaga's Halftime:
@CantReadMyJudas
Jumped from the roof
Sang live while doing choreo
Made a political statement
Played keytar and piano
Ended it with a mid air football catch
Justin's Halftime:
Anti climatic intro
Ugly wardrobe
Disrespectful Prince inclusion
A kid taking a selfie #PepsiHalftime
Real Prince fans all know what he thinks of that performance. 🤔#JustinTimberlake #SuperBowl #PepsiHalftime pic.twitter.com/sFrNQLVCQk
@woketeacher18
Can't wait for #justintimberlake to bust out Lucille to complete his #negan look
@austinv1985
i feel like i'm in a REALLY bad soul cycle class
@choitotheworld
You cannot bring sexy back in camo #JustinTimberlake #SuperBowl
@annkpowers
If I wanted to see a bunch of hipsters looking for attention, I'd go to Silverlake. #JustinTimberlake #SuperBowl.
@leanneaguilera
Hey Siri, who is #JustinTimberlake? pic.twitter.com/gycauel1Qk
@JamesBLee13
What a horrible halftime show, so dull #JustinTimberlake pic.twitter.com/T5doHfrK7X
@isadora__mota
#SuperBowl #JustinTimberlake Who else was waiting for the music to cut out followed by...😐🤔🙄 pic.twitter.com/tWbsFgeTCA
@AnthMelo
Let's go through the history. While he was alive, Justin repeatedly disrespected Prince..doing a diss track against him and making fun of his height at the Golden Globes. Prince couldn't stand him. Justin has never appropriately addressed his treatment of Prince. https://t.co/HfByGT7rJy
@yashar
