Katy Perry hints at ‘wild’ half-time gig at Super Bowl

Headline act promises to bring 'incredible joy' to more than 100 million viewers.

Katy Perry shows off her dress at a news conference about her half-time show for Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona. David J Phillip / AP

The Super Bowl half-time performance – the most-watched minutes on American television – will be “wild”, promises the headlining act Katy Perry.

The pop singer also hinted at a lion, sharks and at least some live singing, but wouldn’t divulge much else about her gig at the NFL title game, which kicks off at 3.30am on Monday.

“I’m going to play on my strengths, which are humour, incredible joy … I just hope at the end of the day that over 100 million people are smiling in unison,” said Perry, wearing a football-themed dress and necklace, at a press event at the Phoenix Convention Center.

She did say to expect an unnamed “old-school” female singer as a surprise performer – subsequently revealed to be Missy Elliott – as well as the rocker Lenny Kravitz. “When you hear the first ring of the chord,” Perry said, “I think jaws will drop and faces will melt.”

The 30-year-old pop star, known for colourful costumes and songs about female empowerment, would not say how much of her singing would be pre-recorded, something singers performing at big events have been criticised for in the past. “I think a lot of it will be live,” said Perry.

Idina Menzel, the theatre actress and voice behind the Oscar-nominated song Let it Go from Disney's Frozen, is scheduled to sing the United States national anthem before the game begins. Menzel is a Tony Award-winner and performed at last year's Academy Awards.

"I think people are as equally excited about Idina Menzel as they are about Katy Perry," said the comedian Josh Gad, who was Menzel's co-star in Frozen.

The show takes place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during the Super Bowl game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.

Last year’s show, headlined by Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers, attracted a record 115.3 million viewers, slightly more than the game itself.