According to a new report, Taylor Swift will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show for the first time in 2023.
The Variety report points out that one of the reasons this long-awaited performance is finally happening is because Apple is taking over Pepsi's sponsorship of the Super Bowl halftime show. Citing three sources "close to the situation," the report says Taylor Swift will host the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in 2023. Interestingly, the report came just hours after it was announced that Apple and the NFL had reached an agreement for Apple Music to take over sponsorship of the Super Bowl halftime show starting next year.
Taylor Swift fans speculate
Taylor Swift fans were already speculating when the Apple Music deal was announced overnight. One of the most common reasons was that Swift's upcoming album is called "Midnights" and the deal between Apple and the NFL was announced at midnight. That's certainly a bit far-fetched. But Variety points to an even more convincing theory. Pepsi has sponsored the Super Bowl halftime show since 2013, the same year Swift signed a long-term deal with Coca-Cola. It's unclear whether this partnership prevented Swift from performing at a Pepsi-sponsored halftime show. But it certainly would have been "awkward."
Apple Music takes over Super Bowl halftime show
Beyond these theories, Variety has three sources close to the situation who have confirmed that Swift is indeed slated to perform at Apple Music's 2023 Super Bowl halftime show. Apple and Taylor Swift have had a turbulent relationship in recent years. In 2015, Swift publicly rebuked Apple for the company's plan not to pay artists for streams during Apple Music's free trial. However, Apple quickly relented and agreed to pay artists for streams during the free trial. Since then, Swift has appeared in Apple advertising campaigns, been featured on "Today at Apple," and has released exclusive content on Apple Music. (Photo by Starfrenzy / Bigstockphoto)
