The NFL’s breaking new ground with its first regular-season game in São Paulo, and who better to kick off the halftime show than Brazil’s own baile funk superstar, Anitta? As she preps to light up the stage on Sept. 6, the spotlight’s on this global music icon, who’s set to blend the electric vibes of Brazilian music with the thrilling atmosphere of American football. 

While Anitta might not be a die-hard NFL fan and her sports fandom leans more towards cheering with friends and family at barbecues, her role in this historic game shows off her epic versatility and worldwide appeal. 

Which sports does Anitta follow?

Talking about her sports fandom, Anitta’s not exactly an NFL superfan—her sports love is more about lively BBQs and cheering with friends and family. “I love sports in general, and I’m one of those fans who screams in front of the TV! With American football, it would be no different. As a Brazilian, I love getting together with friends and family to have a barbecue and to cheer,” she admits. For her, it’s all about enjoying the game-day vibe with a good crowd. The Ritmo Perfeito star’s bringing her vibrant Brazilian spirit to Arena Corinthians on Sept. 6, 8:15 PM ET. 

The Queen of Brazilian Pop’s thrilled about the opportunity, sharing her thoughts in a chat with Billboard Español: “I am incredibly excited to perform in São Paulo at the NFL’s first game in my home country of Brazil.” It’s a massive deal for her and the NFL, as they aim to blend the energy of Brazilian music with the intensity of football.

Taking charge of the singer’s big NFL debut are the heavyweights: the NFL’s head of music, Seth Dudowsky; senior VP of global event operations and production, Jon Barker, and the director of event presentation and content, Tim Tubito. They’re teaming up with Production Club to make this halftime show pop. “Anitta was at the top of our list,” says Dudowsky. “We’re not just bringing an American vibe—we’re blending into the local culture,” Barker adds. 

Also on deck is Luísa Sonza—set to belt out the national anthem, fresh off her Billboard Women in the Music Awards spotlight. So, while Anitta might not be breaking down every play, her role in this landmark event shows she’s a game-changer on the global stage, which is exactly why Dudowsky and Barker picked her.

Why was the pop star selected to perform?

Seth Dudowsky spilled the beans on why Anitta is the star of the show. “We wanted to make sure that coming to Brazil, we were putting on the spectacle and the level of quality that you expect from an NFL event,” he asserted during the Billboard Español discussion. “Also, doing it in a way that felt natural and embracing the culture of São Paulo and Brazil. The most authentic way to do that is to work with artists and performers who are from those places.”

Dudowsky’s enthusiasm goes to show the NFL’s mission to honor local vibes while bringing American football to South America. He points out that the Bang singer’s role goes beyond her glittering career—she’s all about resonating with Brazilian fans and making the event feel authentically NFL.

Senior VP Jon Barker chimed in with the broader vision. “The opportunity to bring our game to São Paulo, Brazil, to South America, is really exciting,” he said. Anitta’s selection ain’t just about star power; it’s a strategic move to create a cultural fireworks show. Her halftime performance will mix Brazilian zest with NFL energy, turning this game into a cross-cultural fiesta. “When you think about an opportunity to work with an artist like Anitta, it just elevates everything that we’re going to do. We don’t want to come in and make this very American and Western. We want it to weave into the culture of the environment that we’re in…”

In short, Anitta ain’t just headlining at the NFL’s São Paulo debut—she’s crafting a legendary fusion of sports and culture that’s set to dazzle fans worldwide.