Detroit was on its feet this Thanksgiving—and not just for football. Eminem ignited Ford Field during the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Halftime Show with a surprise performance alongside Jack White that instantly became one of the holiday’s most talked-about moments.
What began as a high-voltage set from Jack White quickly turned into an unforgettable homecoming. After tearing into his 2024 single “That’s How I’m Feeling” and The White Stripes’ fan-favorite “Hello Operator,” White paused, grinned, and delivered the announcement that sent shockwaves across the stadium:
“Ladies and gentlemen, Detroit’s own, Eminem!”
Rising through a plume of white smoke, the 15-time Grammy-winning icon stormed the stage with “’Till I Collapse,” powering through the 2002 anthem with the ferocity that cemented him as one of Hip-Hop’s greatest performers. It was a short appearance—but a seismic one. Before disappearing backstage, Eminem delivered a heartfelt message to the roaring crowd: “Detroit! Happy Thanksgiving, y’all”.
White closed the halftime show with a thunderous rendition of “Seven Nation Army,” accompanied by the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders who moved in perfect rhythm to the stadium-shaking beat.
The celebration continued online. White captioned his Instagram recap with a single, prideful word—“Detroit”. Meanwhile, Eminem posted, “Detroit thank u!!! So great to join @officialjackwhite with @iamdenaun at the @detroitlionsnfl Thanksgiving Halftime Show!”
Even the rapper’s daughter, Hailie Jade, shared a family moment from the stands, posting a clip of her holding her baby son, Elliot—earmuffs on, soaking in his first Thanksgiving game.
Beyond the performance, Eminem continues to deepen his ties to Detroit’s sports and entertainment scene. Earlier this month, the rapper and longtime manager Paul Rosenberg inked a multi-year deal with the Detroit Lions to executive-produce halftime shows and curate talent through 2027. In doing so, he further solidifies his influence on Motor City culture.
The Lions’ annual Thanksgiving matchup, held November 28th at Ford Field, delivered football, fireworks, and a halftime show that reminded the world why Detroit remains one of the most powerful music cities on the map.
