This Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the San Fransisco 49ers in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII. (Yay, sports!) Adding to the excitement will be global superstar Usher, hitting the main stage for the official halftime show. “People will tune in for a football game, but I hope, when they look at that halftime performance, I’m hoping they walk away with something that’s healing them,” he told Vogue. “Something that makes them feel hopeful.”
The Super Bowl halftime show is certainly no small gig to take on: Over the years, it has gifted us some of the most memorable live performances of all time—not to mention some extremely stylish looks too. Last year, Rihanna wowed the crowd in her red Alaïa puffer coat and Loewe jumpsuit. In 2020, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira delivered double the style in gold and silver looks. There have even been some more, well, unexpected moments that have since become iconic—like back in the year 2004, when Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction alongside Justin Timberlake launched headlines and debates across the world.
In anticipation of this year’s halftime show, Vogue wanted to highlight some of these fashion wins. And what better way to do so than to recreate them? With the concept in mind, we called up 10 cast members from season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and asked if they’d be up for the challenge of recreating some of their favorite Super Bowl looks. (Spoiler alert: Of course they were.) These creative queens are, after all, used to turning epic looks on the show (and also have a history of recreating fashion moments for Vogue).
Which performers made their cut? Prince and Shakira, of course, as well as some more unexpected halftime stars, like Katy Perry and her viral “Left Shark.” Below, a curation of drag-ified Super Bowl transformations. They are total fashion touchdowns.
Geneva Karr
Recreating: Katy Perry, 2015
“I chose to recreate Katy Perry’s Super Bowl look because, when I saw it back in 2015, it was so fun and made me happy watching it! I recreated this look by trying to get as close to the original as possible—and adding the Latina and Texas touch to it!”
Mhi’ya Iman LePaige
Recreating: Mary J. Blige, 2022
“I chose this look because, first of all, I love Mary J. Blige: She is the queen and an icon! Also, this look is soooo me. I’ve worn looks just like this. I recreated this look using stretch fabric, with cheetah print on top. This wig was style—and it’s actually two wigs, and it’s sooo full!”
Nymphia Wind
Recreating: Prince, 2007
“I was drawn to Prince’s androgyny and openness to being whatever he wanted to be.”
Dawn
Recreating: Katy Perry’s Left Shark, 2015
“Left Shark is not only an icon and a star, but he is a legend. So, of course, I’m going to choose to recreate a legend. There’s a silliness and horror to someone in a shark suit messing up their choreography on live TV at one of the most watched events on the planet, and I wanted to channel that fear.”
Megami
Recreating: Jennifer Lopez, 2020
“Baby, I m Puerto Rican from New York City. Who else in the world could be more iconic to me than Jennifer Lopez?!”
Plasma
Recreating: Lady Gaga, 2017
“Gaga’s performance look for the Super Bowl is so referential yet sleek and contemporary, which is something I appreciate in pop-culture styling. I actually borrowed this ensemble from fellow Drag Race alumnus Jan Sport as a nod to our shared love of legendary performances—on Drag Race and beyond!”
Morphine Love Dion
Recreating: Shakira, 2020
“I chose to recreate the iconic Shakira Super Bowl 2020 outfit, created by the one and only Nicolas Bru. Something in the universe shifted when this performance happened; I felt the shift, and it was amazing. Shakira is one of my biggest inspirations to ever exist.”
Sapphira Cristál
Recreating: Queen Latifah, 1998
“I’ve always been a fan of Queen Latifah’s uplifting rap style and the messages she sends with songs like ‘U.N.I.T.Y.’ I was just nine years old when I saw her perform at the Super Bowl in 1998, and I was blown away! To honor that performance and this iconic diva, I sewed this look and paired it with a corset made by Philadelphia designer Rob Paluso. I kept it open to give it a Sapphira flair!”
Q
Recreating: Bruno Mars, 2014
“For my halftime look, I chose Bruno Mars! His look was definitely one of the most simple silhouettes. This made me really excited to imagine it in an over exaggerated way—playing with the shape of the blazer and incorporating references to all the different masculine elements.”
Xunami Muse
Recreating: Beyoncé, 2013
“I loved this look because it was quintessential Beyoncé at her prime. A simple silhouette with intricate details. It was an outfit for performance while still serving a look! LéRoy Taylor carefully cut each panel and sewed most of the garment by hand to get as close to the look as possible. I’m very pleased with how it came out.”
