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Lil Wayne is done waiting for his moment on the NFL's biggest stage. The New Orleans native, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., has made it clear he will never accept an invitation to perform at a Super Bowl halftime show, even if the league comes knocking. His decision follows what he sees as a major snub: being ed over for Super Bowl LIX, hosted in his own backyard at the Caesars Superdome.
Despite his deep ties to the city and decades-long career, the NFL selected Kendrick Lamar to headline the 2025 show instead. The performance, which included guest appearances by SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, and Serena Williams, set a new viewership record with over 133 million viewers, but was widely criticized online and labeled by some fans as "the worst halftime show ever."
Wayne's reaction: hurt and disappointment
Wayne didn't watch the halftime performance. The disappointment cut deep, and he itted on social media that he had prematurely allowed himself to believe he would be chosen. "I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown," he said in an emotional Instagram Live video.
Speaking later with Skip Bayless on his show, Wayne shared that he had reached out to Kendrick Lamar to wish him well. But the sting of rejection lingered. In a conversation with Rolling Stone, Wayne reflected on the buildup to the game, sharing that he had stepped into unfamiliar social circles attending exclusive events like Michael Rubin's all-white parties and even hanging out with Tom Brady, all in anticipation of a role he never got.
No future halftime shows, no hard feelings
Though the rapper insists there's no animosity toward Lamar, the experience has left him with no interest in ever performing at a Super Bowl. "That was all for that," he said. "You ain't never seen me in those types of venues."
Wayne has since shifted focus back to music, recently performing at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special. As for the NFL, the door is closed. His message is loud and clear: you only get one chance to honor your hometown legend, and they blew it.