Who Is the Guy in the Nerds Super Bowl Commercial?
Unveiling the star behind Nerds’ Big Game ad
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Who is the “guy” in the Nerds Super Bowl ad?
If you watched the 2025 Super Bowl commercial for Nerds — the one with a singer walking through vibrant streets, eating Nerds, and leading a colorful parade of candy and musicians — you might ask: Who is that person?
The answer: he is Shaboozey, an up-and-coming country/hip-hop artist.
Shaboozey was tapped by Nerds (Ferrara Candy Company) for this Big Game spot to perform a reimagined version of Louis Armstrong’s classic “What a Wonderful World.”
In the commercial, he wanders through New Orleans’ streets (a nod to Armstrong’s hometown) eating Nerds Gummy Clusters; the world around him begins to swirl with color, animated Nerds, and musical parade elements as he leads the scene in song.
So yes — the “guy” is a known musical talent, not a random actor or extra.
Here is a video clip showing more of Shaboozey and behind-the-scenes of the Nerds campaign:
Everybody at the Bar Getting Nerdy: Shaboozey Stars in New Ad for Nerds Gummy Clusters
Who is Shaboozey? Background and rise
Shaboozey is a 29-year-old artist whose style blends country, hip-hop, and soul elements.
He has gained recognition in recent years with hit songs and a signature tone that has resonated with a wide audience.
The Nerds spot marks a major brand partnership for him, tying his musical identity to a high-visibility commercial platform.
In a People magazine interview, he said he chose to cover “What a Wonderful World” in the ad because it fits his tone and identity; he noted that Armstrong’s voice is iconic, but he felt a connection to the emotional resonance of the song.
Here’s a short video excerpt in which the campaign is discussed:
Nerds Super Bowl Commercial 2025 Shaboozey What a Wonderful World Ad Review
Why did Nerds choose Shaboozey for the Super Bowl spot?
There are several reasons behind the casting:
Musical authenticity & tone: Shaboozey’s vocal style and emotional presence made him a compelling choice for interpreting “What a Wonderful World” in a fresh, modern way.
Brand alignment & appeal: Nerds is pushing its Gummy Clusters line as a fusion of flavor and texture — pairing things — and they wanted a musical pairing that felt similarly dynamic.
Connection to location: The Super Bowl in 2025 was in New Orleans. Louis Armstrong is a native of that city, giving cultural and symbolic resonance to the song choice and setting.
Rising star: As Shaboozey’s profile has grown, marrying a rising artist with a bold brand spot helps generate buzz.
Here is an article discussing how Nerds leaned into “newstalgia” by combining past musical cues with current talent like Shaboozey:
Nerds is leaning into ‘newstalgia’ for its Super Bowl ad
Notable elements and symbolic choices in the ad
The commercial is rich with visual and musical symbolism:
New Orleans setting — the cityscape, parade visuals, and second-line band feel root the ad in the cultural essence of Armstrong’s hometown.
Candy + music fusion — as Shaboozey takes a bite of Nerds, the world transforms into cascading color and musical energy, paralleling the blend of flavors in Nerds Gummy Clusters.
Parade and crowd — the confectionary “Nerds” characters blend into the visual spectacle, merging the musical and candy worlds.
Tagline: “When two great things combine, it’s a wonderful world.” That mirrors the product idea (gummy + crunchy) as well as the musical blend.
Watch the commercial again to see these creative touches in action:
Nerds Gummy Clusters Super Bowl 2025 TV Spot, ‘What a Wonderful World’
How audiences responded & implications for Shaboozey
Early coverage suggests the campaign was well-received for its imaginative visuals, musical choice, and the pairing of an artist with a brand in a way that felt more seamless than forced.
Shaboozey’s involvement gives him broader exposure beyond traditional music channels — placing him in a national, high-visibility advertising moment.
Also, for Nerds, bringing in a recognizable musical talent helps elevate the brand narrative from candy novelty to emotional storytelling.
In media coverage, Shaboozey was quoted saying he was honored to be part of this commercial and that the song felt meaningful to him.
Conclusion
If you wondered who the “guy” in the Nerds Super Bowl commercial is, the answer is clear: it’s Shaboozey, a rising artist selected by Nerds to lend musical gravitas and emotional depth to their Big Game campaign. The choice reflects a blend of strategic branding, musical authenticity, and symbolic resonance (New Orleans, Louis Armstrong). The commercial is more than just a candy ad — it’s a creative storytelling moment that bridges music and branding, and Shaboozey was the ideal lead.
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