This 12 months’s well-known Tremendous Bowl half-time present must be extra “family friendly”, a gaggle of critics has mentioned – following what they describe as “vulgar” previous performances by Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna, and the notorious Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction”.
Republican politicians and campaigners in Louisiana have written a letter to organisers elevating “serious concerns” forward of this 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl, which is because of happen on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in February.
Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the half-time present.
In a letter signed by 17 Republican senators and representatives for Louisiana, in addition to 15 pro-family organisations, critics referred to as out Lopez’s efficiency alongside Shakira in Florida in 2020, saying the star “wore little clothing and was groped by male and female dancers on stage”, and likewise “made sexually suggestive gestures and performed on a stripper pole”.
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Jennifer Lopez carried out with Shakira in 2020. Pic: AP
Criticising Rihanna’s efficiency on the 2023 half-time present in Arizona – when the star revealed she was pregnant together with her second youngster – they mentioned she was proven “groping herself” whereas singing lyrics “that were so offensive that few Louisiana adults could read those lyrics before an audience without shame”.
The letter continued: “We realize that these past vulgar performances may have been acceptable to the residents of those states where those Super Bowls were held but, in Louisiana, these lewd acts are inappropriate for viewing by children, objectify women, and are simply NOT welcomed by the majority of Louisiana parents.”
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Rihanna headlined in 2023 – revealing her child bump. Pic: AP/Charlie Riedel
‘It could have violated obscenity legislation’
Jackson’s efficiency with Justin Timberlake in Texas in 2004, throughout which he uncovered one in every of her breasts, was additionally highlighted.
“Had that 2004 performance taken place in Louisiana and been proven to be intentional, it would have violated Louisiana’s obscenity law,” the letter mentioned.
CBS, which aired that 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl, was fined $550,000 by the Federal Communications Fee over the incident – however this was later overturned.
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Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s efficiency brought on outrage. Pic: AP
In 2021, following the discharge of the Framing Britney Spears documentary, which included particulars of Timberlake’s relationship with the star and their break-up, dialog round his Tremendous Bowl efficiency with Jackson was additionally reignited.
On the time of the incident, Jackson bore the brunt of the criticism, whereas Timberlake’s solo profession flourished. In 2021, Timberlake issued an apology, saying: “I specifically want to apologise to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed.”
The Republicans’ letter didn’t point out Timberlake however mentioned Jackson’s “exposed bare breast was excused by one of her fellow performers as a ‘wardrobe malfunction’.”
Tremendous Bowl half-time performances have turn into “increasingly vile”, it continued, and subsequently it may very well be “reasonably anticipated that the half-time performance this year in New Orleans will be inappropriate for children to watch”.
Senator Valarie Hodges, who signed the letter and shared particulars on X, mentioned: “My hope is that Louisiana can set an example for future hosting states of the Super Bowl in advocating for entertainment suitable for viewers of all ages without needing a content rating.”
It has additionally been shared by the Household Analysis Council. President Tony Perkins, a former Louisiana state consultant who can be one of many signatories, mentioned their criticism was “not only about protecting children, important as that is, but also upholding community standards”.
The letter is addressed to Phillip Sherman, chairman of the Higher New Orleans Sports activities Basis, and Robert Vosbein Jr, chairman of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, which oversees the superdrome venue.
“We have shared the letter with the NFL and we are all in agreement that this year’s half-time show will be a family-friendly event befitting New Orleans’ storied history hosting Super Bowls.”
