Lady Gaga’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LI is over three days away and she was a bit subdued and thoroughly professional as she took over the media room during a news conference Thursday in Houston.
Her answers were notable for what she wouldn’t say about things like the number of costume changes will go through or what songs she will do.
Because these news conferences are what they are, Fox’s Terry Bradshaw asked a lengthy question and Gaga admitted that her family of Pittsburgh Steelers fans was freaking out that he was asking a question. Told that her grandmother was especially excited back home, Bradshaw asked, “Is she a single lady?”
The questions turned serious when she was asked if she might make a political statement.
“I don’t know if I will succeed in unifying America. You’ll have to ask America when it’s over. The only statements that i’ll be making are the ones that i have been consistently making throughout my career,” she said. “I believe in a passion for inclusion. I believe in the spirit of equality and the spirit of this country is one of love and compassion and kindness. My performance uphold those philosophies.”
Gaga has hinted that her sister wants her to perform suspended from the roof, which is 265 feet above the NRG Stadium field, but, just as she was earlier in the week, she would not commit to that during her 13-minute performance during halftime of the game between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles asked about that Thursday and offered pointers if — IF — she tries the stunt.
First up at the news conference, though, was country star Luke Bryan, who will sing the national anthem. He’ll be following in Lady Gaga’s footsteps there; she delivered a powerful performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl 50. Bryan says he has already been peppered with questions about how long the song will go. That was a genuine gambling controversy last year, much to Bryan’s amusement.
“A friend called me up and said, ‘Hey, buddy. Are you going long?’ Just say ‘long’ if you are.”