Though folks all over are gearing up to see what kind of show Kendrick Lamar will be bringing to his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance next month in New Orleans, others are too busy trying to make sure the event is censored. And they’re trying to rope Rihanna in in doing so.
This is evidenced by a recent report from the Louisiana Illuminator on Tuesday that explained that nearly 20 Republican Louisiana state legislators sent a letter to key city organizers citing their “serious concerns” that the upcoming performance will be “less than family friendly.” To prove their point, lawmakers cited two recent performers from the past five years that they claim were also not family friendly during their halftime show including Jennifer Lopez from 2020 and Rihanna from 2023. They also brought up Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s infamous moment back in 2004.
Of the Barbadian bad gal, the letter read in part:
“[Rihanna] was shown groping herself while she sang song lyrics that were so offensive that few Louisiana adults could read those lyrics before an audience without shame. 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..”
The letter was sent to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, and the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, the latter of which oversees the Caesar’s Superdome. Once privy to the requests, the chairman of the Exposition District, Robert Vosbein Jr. expressed that he wished the concerns were sent over earlier and not two weeks before the performance is set to take place.
As far as the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, its president and CEO Jay Cicero issued an official statement in response to the letter.
“We respect and value the comments of our legislators, who play a critical role in our ability to secure large events providing an economic boost to our city and state,” Cicero said. “We have shared the letter with the NFL and we are all in agreement that this year’s halftime show will be a family-friendly event befitting New Orleans’ storied history hosting Super Bowls.”
Whether or not this charge for more “family- friendly” performances will be actualized expeditiously with regard to Lamar’s performance remains to be seen but the letter did make it clear that they’d like for their requests to be implemented for future artists moving forward, as noted by Billboard.
“Future contracts for the use of facilities that are funded and paid for by Louisiana taxpayers ensure, in writing as part of the contract, that any performers’ conduct adheres to Louisiana’s community decency standards,” the letter read in part.
Lamar is set to take the stage on Feb. 9 with special guests SZA.