H.E.R. shredding on guitar at Super Bowl with smoke behind her.

AA+PIs representing big at the Big Game

From the halftime show, to film trailers galore, here are some of our favorite moments of AA+PI representation from Super Bowl LVIII

H.E.R. at the Super Bowl halftime show.

NFL

Words by Daniel Anderson

From Google updates and the Internet, I know that the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, 25-22. I didn’t watch the game, but I did watch the halftime show and ads, arguably the best part of the broadcast.

There was quite the AA+PI presence throughout the show and commercials. Here are some of my favorite highlights:

H.E.R.

There were some epic surprises in Usher’s halftime show. While his rollerskating makes for meme fuel online, it’s undeniable that H.E.R., the daughter of a Filipina mother and Black father, totally shredded on the guitar. The Blasian musician later pointed out how she went from singing at a 49ers game when she was 11 years old, to performing at the Super Bowl.

Deadpool and Wolverine 

Marvel dropped the first extended look of the highly anticipated third Deadpool movie. After a string of middling box office performances and Disney+ shows, the merc with a mouth might be just the hero to save Marvel. It will be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first R-rated film in their franchise and will help move the previously owned Fox characters into the house of Kevin Feige. Hugh Jackman returns as his iconic hero Wolverine, but there are some familiar Asian stars too. Right off the bat, we see Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) celebrating his birthday alongside friends Dopinder (Karan Soni), Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna) and Shatterstar (Lewis Tan) among others.

Wicked Pt. 1

The first trailer of this musical fantasy film finally premiered. This movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway show is directed by Jon M. Chu of Crazy Rich Asians fame. It reunites Chu with Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible, headmistress of Shiz University. Saturday Night Live comedian Bowen Yang also stars as Pfannee, a college friend of Glinda’s (Ariana Grande).

Twisters

Fresh off the success of Minari, news broke that Lee Isaac Chung was set to direct a sequel to the 1996 classic Twister. It’s unclear if this is a standalone reboot original or an actual sequel. Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones star as the leading thrill seekers.

Kung Fu Panda 4 

It’s not the first trailer for the latest installment of the classic Dreamworks series, but Kung Fu Panda 4 got a brief and fun spot among the Super Bowl ads. The animated martial arts franchise welcomes Awkwafina and Ke Huy Quan as newcomers.

Jason Momoa and Flashdance

Aquaman star Jason Momoa joins Scrubs alums Zach Braff and Donald Faison in this humorous ad from T-Mobile inspired by the 1983 film Flashdance. 

Popeyes’ first Super Bowl

Ken Jeong makes a brief appearance as a man unfrozen from cryogenic stasis. His wait for “perfection” has arrived thanks to Popeyes.

Published on February 12, 2024

Words by Daniel Anderson

Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.