The pop star made a surprise appearance before the big game to help ‘unify’ viewers after the tragic attack

LADY Gaga has left fans ‘sobbing’ over her emotional surprise performance ahead of Super Bowl LIX in the middle of Bourbon Street after the city’s tragic terrorist attack last month.

Prior to kick off of the battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, the pop star paid tribute to those who lost their lives in New Orleans just a few weeks ago.

Lady Gaga singing at a piano.
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Lady Gaga performs on Bourbon Street before Super Bowl LIXCredit: X/Much

Lady Gaga singing into a microphone at a piano.
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The singer paid tribute to those who died in the New Orleans terror attack on New Year’sCredit: X/Much
The Grammy-winner sat on a piano as she sang an emotional rendition of her track, Hold My Hand from the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack, in the middle of Bourbon Street.

She wore a white large-brimmed hat with a matching blazer and pantsuit.

The unannounced pre-Super Bowl performance was an emotional tribute to the victims who passed away after a truck drove through a crowded Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.

Joining Lady Gaga, 38, for the tribute were former NFL stars Michael Strahan and Tom Brady.

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The athletes, who are both now broadcasters for Fox Sports, walked up to Bourbon Street to meet New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson as well as coaches and other members of the team who took the walk late at night.

“Always the heart and soul of New Orleans,” Michael solemnly said as he recalled the terror attack that killed 14 people just as everyone rang in the New Year on Jan. 1.

Tom, 47, who was wearing a Los Angeles Fire Department shirt to honor the victims of the Southern California wildfires, also chimed in with a message.

“When tragedy strikes we don’t break, we come together, we rise above and we never let evil win,” he said, surrounded by New Orleans residents.

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Tom Brady wearing an LAFD shirt amongst uniformed first responders.
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Tom Brady took part in the New Orleans tribute and also honored LAFD after the California wildfiresCredit: X/Much

Group of people walking down a street wearing "NOLA Strong" shirts.
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Michael Strahan, Tom Brady and members of the New Orleans Saints management walked down Bourbon Street to tribute the victimsCredit: X/Much
Hundreds of New Orleans natives were paid to be a part of the emotional moment – which was filmed earlier in the week, according to local news outlet nola.com.

‘OVER HERE SOBBING’

Fans were barely able to maintain their emotions, as one admitted: “Thanks Lady Gaga, I’m over here sobbing.”

“Lady Gaga’s performance will probably be the best part of this Super Bowl,” a viewer predicted.

“If Lady Gaga is sitting at a piano singing I’m likely crying I don’t make the rules,” another said.
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“Lady gaga playing piano in the middle of bourbon st is kinda surreal,” a fourth said while another added: “Lady Gaga sound beautiful.”

“Very very good Lady Gaga and NOLA. Unifying,” one more mentioned.

Though some thought the Gaga song choice was “random” and even “strange,” the track set up a touching ending for the Tom Cruise-led film.

After becoming a summer smash hit, the song was nominated for a Grammy and Golden Globe.

TOUCHING TRIBUTE

Earlier this week, Caballero Casting teased the performance, though it was unclear what star would be part of it, after it had posted a casting call for background extras to be a part of a segment.

“FOX will be producing a piece on Bourbon Street, this special segment will pay tribute to the tragic events that happened on Bourbon St. New Year’s morning.

“We are looking for people to join us to help us make this moment special,” the Facebook post said.

Just hours into 2025, Shamsud Din Jabbar, who was identified by the FBI, rammed a white pickup truck at high speed into a crowd of pedestrians in the city’s packed French Quarter district at 3:15 am on Bourbon Street.

He was killed in a firefight with police following the sickening attack which left two officers wounded.

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Multiple devices were found in an ice chest in the pickup truck, a law enforcement source told CNN.

The attack left 14 people dead and more than 35 people hurt – leading to extra precautions and security measures taken before Super Bowl Sunday.