Shaboozey Reveals What He’s a ‘Nerd’ About as He Appears in Nerds Gummy Clusters Super Bowl Commercial
UPDATE: Nerds released a 30-second version of Shaboozey’s ad on Tuesday (Feb. 4) featuring the country singer/songwriter covering Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Watch the extended commercial and read our full interview with Shaboozey about the campaign below.
Shaboozey is trading in his double shot of whiskey for something much sweeter during this year’s Super Bowl. The country superstar is set to appear in Nerds Gummy Clusters’ Big Game advertisement, and the candy shared a teaser of the spot on Tuesday (Jan. 28).
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In the 15-second clip, the Hot 100 chart-topper enjoys a bag of Nerds Gummy Clusters while strumming his guitar. Shortly after taking a bite of the popular candy, a gummy cartoon character appears on his shoulder, transforming his guitar into a Nerds-inspired instrument. The message, “Unleash your senses,” appears on the screen to end the preview.
For Shaboozey, teaming up with Nerds was a no-brainer. “I remember Halloween, getting those little boxes and pouring the candy into my mouth. I love them so much,” he tells Billboard of his nostalgic connection to the treat. “It’s awesome to just to see the process of how it all came together. I make country music, and to be able to have the guitar and my world, and have just everything that I’m into, combined with Nerds Gummy Clusters was just amazing. It’s combining two things that are really good on their own to make something even better.”
Fittingly, in the spirit of the partnership, Shaboozey was ready to express what he’s a nerd about. “Music. [laughs] I love music,” he says. “I love video games, and just anything that you can get really involved in and find yourself being super immersed in.”
This year’s game down in New Orleans marks the star’s first time attending the Super Bowl, after taking the stage for a Thanksgiving Day NFL halftime show last year and appearing alongside Beyoncé during her Christmas halftime show. “I got the opportunity to play two really huge halftime shows. It was definitely a dream come true,” he recalls. “I grew up watching some so many different athletes, and I’m really excited to be a part of this Big Game. To be in a Super Bowl commercial with a brand I grew up on, it’s going to be hard to beat that.”
The Nerds Super Bowl ad is just the beginning of an exciting year for Shaboozey, who is nominated for five Grammy Awards thanks to his Beyoncé collaboration “SPAGHETTII” and his breakthrough hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which notched a record-tying 19th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November. He’s also scheduled to perform at both Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals in the spring.
“It’s a dream. It’s surreal,” he says. “Every day I wake up, I’m just like, ‘Wow, we did that.’ I’m excited to keep making great music, and continue to give the people great things and great products. I’m also excited to keep improving and do better every day.”
Check out Shaboozey in the Nerds Big Game ad teaser below, and catch the full spot during Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9, where the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face off for the championship.
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