Justin Timberlake's last minute Super Bowl freak out

Musician Justin Timberlake. Photo / Getty

Justin Timberlake reportedly scrapped his plans to perform with a hologram of Prince in his Super Bowl performance at the very last minute.

The 37-year-old star covered the last singer's track I Would Die 4 U during halftime show on at the Super Bowl LII on Sunday at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota - Prince's hometown.

Timberlake performed in front of a video of Prince projected onto a huge white sheet behind him.

Justin Timberlake performs onstage during the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018. Photo / Getty

But rumours the SexyBack singer had been planning to use a hologram of the Purple Rain hitmaker - which upset fans when they surfaced on social media - were apparently true.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: "He was 100 per cent ready to use the hologram but nixed it due to backlash from social media and Prince fans. That's why he had that sheet up like in your mama's backyard."

Prince's close friend Sheila E had tweeted that Justin was not going to use a hologram ahead of the performance.

She wrote: "Family, I spoke w/Justin 2nite and he shared heartfelt words of respect for Prince & the Purple fans ... There is no hologram."

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she hinted she had advised Timberlake to drop his hologram plans.

She said: "I just said no. I just felt that it was too soon. The hologram was weird, and Prince did tell me [to] make sure nobody ever does a hologram [of him] ... He thought it was very demonic and that's his spiritual beliefs."

But an insider close to Timberlake insisted: "There's no way Justin would ever disrespect Prince's legacy. He didn't change his performance."

Prince's estate said in a statement: "Justin Timberlake, the NFL and the City of Minneapolis used the stadium and the city to give a beautiful hometown tribute to Prince. The two pieces of footage that appeared on the screens were licensed from the Purple Rain movie and a vintage performance in Syracuse, NY."