Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, Paul Rudd: All the celebs at the Super Bowl (including the singer’s VIPs)
The most important thing about American football’s biggest night of the year? It’s the celebrity appearances, of course.
Forget the score, the winners, the trophy – even without the Taylor Swift factor of this year’s event, the Super Bowl always makes headlines for the halftime show (Usher and friends), the A-lister adverts (Posh and Becks, Ben Affleck), and the stars in the crowd (see below).
Here are the celebs who showed up to the NFL game in Las Vegas this year – including those hanging out in Suite Swift.
First up…
Pic: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Starting with the star of the show (sorry, Kansas City Chiefs), it’s Swift herself. The 34-year-old made the epic journey from Japan after performing four shows there as part of her Eras Tour (a week on from making history at the Grammys) to watch her boyfriend and Chiefs star Travis Kelce in action against the San Francisco 49ers. It must be love.
The star was filmed hugging and kissing Kelce on the pitch after the Chiefs became the first back-to-back Super Bowl winners for 19 years with a 25-22 victory in overtime.
Blake Lively
Pic: Reuters
Hollywood actress Blake Lively was pictured arriving with Swift and the singer’s mother, Andrea Swift. Before the game kicked off, Swift and Lively were seen hugging as US rapper and singer Post Malone performed America The Beautiful.
Lively was also there to see her husband Ryan Reynolds in action as the first-look trailer of Deadpool & Wolverine, also featuring Hugh Jackman, aired on the big screen.
Paul McCartney
Pic: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty
Room for a Beatles legend? Sir Paul McCartney was also pictured with Swift during the event, meeting Kelce’s father, Ed.
The meeting between Swift and Sir Paul marked a reunion for the pair after they teamed up for a wide-ranging conversation for Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians series in 2020 – and he credited her as the inspiration for one of his songs, Who Cares, on album Egypt Station.
Ice Spice
Pic: Reuters
Ice Spice joined Swift on the Grammy nominations list for their collab Karma, which was shortlisted for best pop duo/group performance, and the rapper was also nominated for other prizes including best new artist.
She has attended a handful of award shows alongside Swift in the past few months, including the MTV VMAs as well as the Grammys, and joined the star in her suite to cheer on Kelce.
Lana Del Rey
Pic: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/ Reuters
When Lana Del Rey was pictured greeting her friend Swift from outside the superstar’s suite, the internet reacted: why wasn’t she invited? Because she’s a 49ers fan?
Well, the internet needn’t have been so concerned as she made it in the end – but was filmed getting knocked over during celebrations for the Chiefs.
Jay-Z and Beyonce
Pic: AP/George Walker IV
US rapper Jay-Z snapped pictures of his daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi on the pitch before the game kicked off and he took his seat beside wife Beyonce – who took the opportunity to make a big announcement.
The star teased a new album, the second act of her Renaissance project, during a Super Bowl advert, telling co-star Tony Hale: “Okay, they ready. Drop the new music.”
A video was posted on her Instagram account teasing “Act ii” just moments after the advert aired, and two songs – Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages – were released, with the album appearing to be a move into country.
Paul Rudd
Pic: PA
Hollywood star Paul Rudd was arguably the Kansas City Chiefs’ most famous diehard famous fan, until Swift showed up.
He appeared on the field sporting a moustache, alongside his teenage son Jack.
Justin Bieber
Pic: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/ Reuters
Pop star Justin Bieber had been rumoured to appear as a guest singer during Usher’s half-time show.
Instead, he made an appearance as a fan with his wife, model Hailey Bieber, and both were filmed dancing during Usher’s performance.
Jeff Goldblum (and Leonardo Di Caprio, somewhere)
Pic: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio was in attendance at the game, dressed in a black baseball cap, but dipped his face out of view when he was shown on the big screen.
In contrast, Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum stood up and made a heart shape with his hands – he’s clearly a Swiftie.
Lady Gaga
Pic: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Former half-time show star Lady Gaga was also there, showing her allegiance in a glittering 49ers jacket. Better luck next time.
Entertainment
BAFTA Games Awards: Astro Bot tops leaderboard – with psychological horror close behind
Astro Bot was the big winner at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards, taking home five prizes, including the coveted best game.
The 3D platformer, which was launched to critical acclaim in September to mark PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, was nominated for eight gongs, while Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, led with 11 nods.
But in the end, the critics – some of whom had dubbed Astro Bot a “perfect game” – were right as it dominated the awards at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, hosted by comedian Phil Wang for the second year running.
Astro Bot. Pic: Team Asobi
Nicolas Doucet with his five awards for Astro Bot. Pic: PA
BAFTAs for audio achievement, game design, animation, and best family game completed the set for developers Team Asobi, who designed multiple galaxies and dozens of levels for the titular Astro to journey through, retrieving spaceship parts and rescuing lost robots.
“We’re a team based in Japan, but we have over 12 nationalities. We really mix it up and get ideas from everyone,” Nicolas Doucet, president of Team Asobi, told Sky News.
“We do a lot of jokes in the game, but the joke has a different meaning depending on where you are in the world. So it’s really, really nice to go around and ask everyone ‘is that joke fine in your country?’ And then together we come to a kind of universal playfulness.”
Among the gongs for Astro Bot was the best game award. Pic: BAFTA
It’s a very different atmosphere than that generated by British psychological horror Still Wakes The Deep, which won three awards for best new intellectual property and best supporting and leading roles.
Compared to John Carpenter’s 1980 sci-fi horror The Thing but on a Scottish oil rig, the game sees players take on the role of an electrician trapped on a damaged facility while being pursued by monsters.
Still Wakes The Deep. Pic: Sumo Digital Limited
Developer The Chinese Room has been praised for using home-grown talent to voice the characters, including comedian and actress Karen Dunbar, who picked up best performer in a supporting role for voicing Finlay.
“I’ve been nominated for quite a few BAFTAs in my time in Scotland, and I’ve never won one,” said Dunbar.
“It was such a great category, so many great performances. When they shouted my name, I think I started clapping for someone else!”
Read more: See full list of winners
Still Wakes The Deep star Karen Dunbar won best performer in a supporting role. Pic: BAFTA
Meanwhile, best multiplayer game went to Helldivers II – a satirical, sci-fi shooter that sees players fight bugs, aliens and robots with the gumption and gullibility of the characters in Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers.
It has gained a cult following since launching in February 2024 with so much initial interest it created server problems.
“Games for me are about connecting people and forging those bonds of friendship and the multiplayer award is exactly what it stands for,” said Johan Pilestedt, chief executive of Arrowhead Game Studios.
Helldivers II. Pic: Arrowhead/Sony
From outer space to a fictional Yorkshire town called Barnsworth. Thank Goodness You’re Here! – a cartoonish, comedy platformer – won Best British Game. Like Still Wakes The Deep, it has won praise for the authenticity of its actors and setting.
“I think it’s been a real privilege to be able to represent Barnsley on the silver screen,” said Will Todd, who is from the town and one of two game designers behind the project.
Thank Goodness You’re Here! Pic: Coal Supper/Panic Inc
Co-creator James Carbutt added: “Me and Will wrote everything in our tone of voice, quite literally. The further along development we got, the more we lent into it. I think the voices from different parts of the UK and different voices in gaming are super important, and hopefully we’re one of them.”
By the time the BAFTAs wrapped up, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was only handed one of the 11 BAFTAs it was nominated for, technical achievement.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Pic: Ninja Theory
But developers Ninja Theory are already adding this year’s win to a tally of five BAFTAs they were awarded for the first game in the series, which created a protagonist with psychosis by drawing on clinical neuroscience and the experiences of people living with the condition.
Blondie drummer Clem Burke has died at the age of 70
The band said Blurke had been diagnosed with cancer, and described his death as a “profound loss”.
He featured on all the Debbie Harry-fronted group’s studio albums since joining a year after their formation in 1975.
Blurke was with the band from their self-titled debut, through their 1978 classic Parallel Lines, to 2017’s Pollinator.
Drummer Burke.
Pic: Reuters
In a statement on Blondie’s Instagram, Harry and the band’s guitarist, Chris Stein, said: “It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer.
“Clem was not just a drummer, he was the heartbeat of Blondie.
“His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.
“Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie, a self-proclaimed ‘rock and roll survivalist’, he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists.”
Burke in his performance at Festival Estereo Picnic 2023.
Pic: AP
Burke featured on Iggy Pop’s 1982 album Zombie Birdhouse and also performed with Bob Dylan, The Ramones, The Who guitarist Pete Townshend and Joan Jett.
The statement went on to say Burke had left an “indelible mark on every project he was part of”.
It added: “We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world. His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched.”
Burke, who performed on classic tracks such as Call Me, Heart Of Glass and One Way Or Another, made his final live appearance with Blondie last year.
Read more from Sky News:
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Blondie performing during Glastonbury Festival in 2023.
Pic: Invision/AP
Among those paying tribute to him was Kinks guitarist Dave Davies, who said: “I feel saddened that Clem Burke was taken from us so soon.
“May he rest in peace, spectacular drumming, we were friends.”
Nancy Sinatra said: “My heart is shattered. Clem became an icon as a member of Blondie, but he was also an important part of my band, the K.A.B. I was blessed to call him my friend.
“If I ever needed him, he was there. Always. Sending healing prayers and comfort to his widow, Ellen, his family, and all who loved him.”
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