A group of critics has called for this year’s Super Bowl halftime show to be more “family-friendly,” citing what they consider “vulgar” performances in the past by artists like Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna, as well as the notorious “wardrobe malfunction” involving Janet Jackson. Republican politicians and advocates in Louisiana have expressed “serious concerns” in a letter to the event organizers ahead of the Super Bowl, scheduled to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in February. Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the halftime show.
In a letter signed by 17 Republican senators and representatives from Louisiana, along with 15 pro-family organizations, critics pointed to Lopez’s 2020 performance with Shakira in Florida, describing it as inappropriate due to the scant clothing worn and the suggestive gestures made on stage, including the use of a stripper pole. They also criticized Rihanna’s 2023 halftime show in Arizona, where she revealed her second pregnancy, claiming she engaged in self-groping while performing lyrics deemed offensive.
The letter stated, “While these past vulgar performances may have been acceptable in other states, in Louisiana, such lewd acts are inappropriate for children, objectify women, and are simply NOT welcomed by the majority of Louisiana parents.”
The letter also referenced Jackson’s 2004 performance with Justin Timberlake in Texas, where she experienced a wardrobe malfunction. It noted that if the incident had occurred in Louisiana and been deemed intentional, it would have violated the state’s obscenity law. CBS, which broadcast that Super Bowl, faced a $550,000 fine from the Federal Communications Commission, although this penalty was later overturned.
Following the release of the Framing Britney Spears documentary in 2021, discussions about Timberlake’s performance with Jackson resurfaced. At the time of the incident, Jackson faced significant backlash while Timberlake’s career continued to thrive. In 2021, Timberlake publicly apologized to both Spears and Jackson, acknowledging his failure to support them.
