Louisiana lawmakers are calling past Super Bowlhalftime shows “lewd” and “offensive” in a letter demanding “family-friendly” acts ahead of next month’s championship in New Orleans — and cited Jennifer Lopez’s and Rihanna’s past performances as “vulgar” displays.
Published Tuesday by Nola.com, the letter was sent Jan. 16 to the heads of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, and was signed by 17 Republican legislators who said their constituents have “serious concerns.”
The document argued that, while many people are “excited” about the upcoming event, there “are also hardworking taxpayers with children who have serious concerns about the fact that past Super Bowl halftime performances have been less than family-friendly.”
The letter cited Lopez wearing “little clothing” and being “groped by male and female dancers” during her 2020 performance in Florida, and said she “made sexually suggestive gestures and performed on a stripper pole,” which “generated thousands of viewer complaints.”
Co-headlined by Shakira, the show reportedly prompted some 1,300 FCC complaints — but was also viewed by more than 100 million people across the U.S., suggesting that less than 1% of people who tuned in felt the need to contact the government agency.
The signatories also decried Rihanna’s 2023 halftime show in Arizona, which she performed while pregnant, for “groping herself while she sang song lyrics that were so offensive that few Louisiana adults could read those lyrics before an audience without shame.” They declined to repeat the lyrics they characterized as offensive.
The Republicans also said Janet Jackson’s 2004 halftime show in Texas, notable for a “wardrobe malfunction” that exposed the singer’s breast — would’ve violated their state obscenity laws, though that show was not held in Louisiana and took place more than 20 years ago.
“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 welcome by the majority of Louisiana parents,” the letter added.
The lawmakers argued that, because Louisiana is financially contributing to Super Bowl LIX, taxpayers should have a say in the championship’s halftime performances. Their letter was co-signed by 15 representatives of “pro-family” organizations.
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The upcoming halftime show has already generated controversy, with fans of Lil Wayne disappointed that Kendrick Lamar was announced to headline the Feb. 9 event instead of the local hip-hop legend. Apple Music, which is sponsoring the show, recently announced that frequent Lamar collaborator SZA will join him onstage.