‘I Genuinely Teared Up’: Lady Gaga’s ‘Hold My Hand’ Performance at the Super Bowl Ignites Reactions — Video

Singer and actress Lady Gaga delivered a heartfelt Super Bowl performance that truly moved some viewers, while others had mixed feelings about her stage presence.

Lady Gaga captured the spotlight during her appearance at Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025. Performing from the lively Bourbon Street in New Orleans, her rendition quickly sparked conversations nationwide.

Before Gaga took the stage, Michael Strahan and Tom Brady made a poignant introduction. Standing amidst emergency responders and attendees, Strahan sported a “NOLA Strong” T-shirt while Brady wore an L.A. Fire Department shirt.

In his introduction, Strahan noted, “This year began with a terror attack aiming to break spirits, but the resilience of New Orleans mirrors our nation’s resolve.” Brady added, “When tragedy hits, we don’t fall—we unite and rise above to ensure evil never triumphs.”

As the crowd reflected on the powerful words, the camera shifted to the stage where the talented singer appeared, beautifully seated at a piano. Clad in an exquisite all-white ensemble, Lady Gaga stood out with a massive hat, giving her appearance a dramatic flair.

The ensemble was a perfectly designed suit with detailed tailoring, complementing the performance’s solemn yet hopeful message.

Her compelling performance truly resonated as she sang “Hold My Hand,” a powerful ballad from the 2022 movie “Top Gun: Maverick.” The song seemed to beautifully touch the large crowd, which included military personnel, law enforcement, and civilians.

With a stage bathed in purple light and vibrant neon signs illuminating the background, the energy was intense yet poignant, matching the emotional weight of the tribute.

The famous “Poker Face” singer’s performance sparked various online reactions. Some viewers felt a disconnect, noting, “Couldn’t understand a word she said,” and a few suggested she seemed “a bit off with the lip-syncing.”

Contrastingly, many went to bat for her performance. A moved supporter shared, “I genuinely teared up. Her voice is breathtaking.” Another praised, “A true talent and class act. Simply one of the most authentic artists today, she’s exactly what the world needs more of.”

Amongst the plethora of reactions, a user described the performance as “deeply touching,” while another highlighted Gaga’s remarkable touch, labeling her influence “pure gold.”

Countless comments emphasized the sincerity of her performance, with one person describing her raw emotion and audience engagement as captivating.

Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl performance, coupled with the message of resilience shared by Strahan and Brady, stood as a heartfelt homage to those impacted by various tragedies across the United States in January 2025.

The heartbreaking sequence of events began with the fierce wildfires in Southern California. High winds on January 7 exacerbated the flames, necessitating the evacuation of over 30,000 residents from Los Angeles—including beloved stars like Dick Van Dyke and Chrissy Teigen.

Earlier in the month, New Orleans faced its own devastation due to a violent assault on Bourbon Street. A man drove a pickup truck into a crowd, causing numerous fatalities and injuries. Following the crash, he engaged in a shootout with authorities before being subdued by responding officers, resulting in his death.

The FBI identified the assailant as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen with a Ford rental truck. Inside the vehicle, they found an ISIS flag, arms, and what seemed to be an improvised explosive device (IED).

Subsequent investigations revealed potential explosive devices in the city’s French Quarter. Law enforcement agencies collaborated with FBI bomb squads to evaluate and eliminate any remaining risks.

The incident was classified as a terrorist act, leading to an in-depth FBI probe into Jabbar’s affiliations and possible accomplices. Investigative efforts continue as officials work tirelessly to ascertain if Jabbar had ties to extremist entities or acted independently.

In truth, these somber occurrences deepened the significance of Lady Gaga’s tribute for many spectators.

Despite the high praise for Lady Gaga’s song choice, there were humorous suggestions to perform her latest hit instead during the event.

Amidst the chatter, Lady Gaga herself posted a light-hearted video on TikTok featuring her new hit song, expressing her excitement and enthusiasm. Dressed in stylish black attire, her spirited performance was captured as she played with dramatic expressions.

In this vibrant clip, she is seen confidently dancing and striding down a patterned hallway, embodying the theatrics and energy reminiscent of the song’s vibe.