Super Bowl 2018 halftime show: Predicting Justin Timberlake’s performance

Artists go to great lengths to keep their performances under wraps ahead of the Super Bowl halftime show, but that doesn’t keep fans from speculating. Things are no different for Justin Timberlake, who hasn’t been on the halftime stage since the “wardrobe malfunction” performance alongside Janet Jackson in 2004.

This does mark the 36-year-old’s third time performing during the Super Bowl halftime, but his first time as the headliner. His first taste of the spotlight was with his ‘90s boy band, *NSYNC, when they performed alongside Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Britney Spears in 2001, followed by his first solo appearance alongside Jackson (if you’re nasty).

The big story line surrounding this year’s halftime performance is whether Timberlake will be joined by his former bandmates from *NSYNC. Joey Fatone had seemingly shot down rumors a couple weeks back, but that doesn’t mean with 100 percent certainty there won’t be an *NSYNC reunion on the 50-yard line of Sunday’s game. Although, those hoping to see a reunion between Timberlake and Jackson should stop holding your breath now — there is absolutely zero chance of that happening.

We might not know ahead of time some of the people Timberlake plans to collaborate with, but one thing’s for sure, with his Rolodex of celebrity friends, you should expect at least one famous face to join him for the halftime gig. He’s shared the stage with some of music’s most iconic rock stars and industry-leading rappers, so don’t expect him to hog the spotlight.

There are no shortage of prop bets for Timberlake’s performance, from his outfit choice (what color shoes he’ll wear for the first song and if he’ll be wearing a hat) to his set list (whether or not he’ll perform a Prince song).

I’d expect a couple songs from when Timberlake first went solo (“Cry Me a River” and “Rock Your Body”), followed by a compilation of his solo work since, including a bit of “SexyBack”, “What Goes Around ... Comes Around”, “Suit and Tie”, and his latest smash from the Trolls movie, “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”.

Fans should also expect to hear some of his new music. After a bit of a hiatus, Timberlake has been back in the studio, recording and releasing his fifth solo album Man of the Woods, available just ahead of his halftime performance, Feb. 2. The first two songs from the new album have already dropped on the radio, “Filthy” and a duet with Chris Stapleton, “Say Something”, and will likely be performed.

Timberlake will follow-up his Super Bowl-headlining performance with his Man of the Woods tour, kicking off in Toronto March 13.

When: Feb. 4; around 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

TV: NBC

Online: NBC Sports | fubo.TV