Dutch music producer DJ Tiësto has announced his withdrawal from performing at this Sunday's Super Bowl due to an undisclosed family matter. Tiësto, whose real name is Tijs Verwest, revealed on Thursday via social media that he would be unable to attend the highly anticipated matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas.
In a heartfelt message, the 55-year-old music sensation stated, 'It was a tough decision to miss the game, but family always comes first.' Tiësto did not provide specific details about the emergency that necessitated his return home. Married to model Annika Backes since 2019, the couple has two children together.
Tiësto, a Grammy-winning musician, was set to make history at the Super Bowl as the first-ever in-game DJ. He was scheduled to warm up the crowd before kickoff and provide energetic beats throughout the game. However, fans will now have to wait for another opportunity to experience his electrifying performances.
The halftime show will still feature singer Usher as the headline act, while Reba McEntire has been selected to perform the national anthem. Tiësto's absence from the Super Bowl festivities is limited to Sunday's game, as his previously scheduled performances in New York on Friday evening and Las Vegas on Saturday evening remain unaffected, according to his website.
Throughout his illustrious 40-year career, DJ Tiësto has been hailed as one of the world's best DJs. He has showcased his talent at notable events such as the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite missing out on the Super Bowl, Tiësto's impact and influence on the music industry continue to resonate globally.
As a replacement for Tiësto, American DJ Ryan Raddon, widely known as Kaskade, has been selected to perform during the game. Kaskade expressed his excitement on social media, stating that he is 'beyond excited' for the opportunity.
While the Super Bowl is already renowned as the most-watched program in America, this year's event has garnered even more attention, thanks to the high-profile relationship between Kansas City's Travis Kelce, a star tight end, and pop icon Taylor Swift. Swift, who has a performance scheduled in Tokyo on Saturday, received reassurance from the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., that she will make it to Nevada in time to support her partner during the game.
Despite DJ Tiësto's absence, the Super Bowl promises to be a memorable event for both sports and music enthusiasts. The lineup of talented performers and the electrifying atmosphere in Las Vegas are sure to create an unforgettable experience for fans around the world.