Super Bowl 2018 Halftime Show Updates: Justin Timberlake Rumored To Headline Next Year's Halftime Headliner

By Shiena Bernardino, Christian Post Contributor Friday, September 29, 2017

Justin Timberlake might bring sexy back in the highly anticipated halftime show of the 52^{nd Super Bowl next year.}

Multiple sources reportedly told Variety that the 36-year-old pop superstar is the frontrunner to headline the highly anticipated performance in the upcoming National Football League (NFL) championship.

If the rumors turn out to be true, Timberlake will follow Lady Gaga's spectacular halftime show at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas that was watched by approximately 117.5 million viewers around the world.

Other Super Bowl halftime performers include Beyonce, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Katy Perry, and Madonna.

This could be Timberlake's third appearance at the highly popular halftime show after his controversial performance with headliner Janet Jackson in 2004, where the "All of You" singer appeared to suffer from a wardrobe malfunction where her pierced nipple was exposed after Timberlake sang the line "Bet I'll have you naked by the end of the song" from his single "Rock Your Body."

The incident, which was watched by 90 million viewers all over the world, required CBS to pay a $550,000 fine by the Federal Communications Commission. The entire halftime show was also ordered to have a five-second delay broadcast to avoid the same circumstance in the future.

Timberlake also appeared on the Super Bowl stage with his former boy band *NSYNC and his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, hip-hop singer Mary J. Blige, and rapper Nelly during 2001 show that was headlined by Aerosmith.

However, NFL has yet to confirm Timberlake's involvement in the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. In a statement released to Entertainment Weekly, NFL's vice president of communications Brian McCarthy said that they have yet to finalize the line-up.

"No decisions have been made on the performer(s) and we are not going to speculate on particular artists," McCarthy stated. "Along with [sponsor] Pepsi, we know that we will put on a spectacular show. When it is time to announce her name we will do it. Or his name. Or their names."

The 52^{nd Super Bowl Halftime Show will be aired on CBS in February 2018.}