Super Bowl 2018 halftime show: Justin Timberlake to perform in Minneapolis

Justin Timberlake announced on Sunday that he will be the performer at halftime of Super Bowl LII. The NFL confirmed the news.

Timberlake announced the news via Twitter. He had some help from Jimmy Fallon.

A new Timberlake album is expected to be released in early 2018, according to Variety. That makes the timing of Timberlake’s Super Bowl halftime performance ideal.

The NFL reportedly asked Jay Z to perform, but he declined. Other artists who were rumored to be considered were Britney Spears, Pink, Justin Bieber, the Foo Fighters, Rihanna, and Ed Sheeran.

Timberlake will be making his first halftime show appearance since his performance with Janet Jackson in 2004, where they performed “Rock Your Body.” Timberlake ripped off part of her outfit, exposing her nipple as he was singing the final verse of the song, “Bet I’ll have you naked by the end of this song.”

Timberlake’s career took off after he went solo from NSYNC, and he has been successful in other ventures outside of music as well. He’s won 10 Grammys in his career, and he was nominated for an Academy Award for his song “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from the movie Trolls. He’s earned four Emmy awards for his Saturday Night Live appearances.

He’ll likely be hoping there isn’t a blackout, like in 2013:

The NFL toned down the halftime performances after “Nippelgate.” Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones followed the two years after that, along with Prince, and then Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

Last season, Lady Gaga was the performer in Houston where she put on a great performance that included her jumping down to midfield from the roof.

Timberlake’s got his work cut out for him if he wants to challenge Gaga based on last year’s performance.