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A group of 17 Republican lawmakers in Louisiana have issued a letter to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the Louisiana Stadium and Expo District expressing concern about Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming halftime show at Super Bowl LIX. The group of lawmakers cited past performances by the like of Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Janet Jackson to illustrate their point.
The letter, sent in the days following the NFC and AFC Championship games, which saw the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs advance to the Super Bowl, specifically name-checked Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and even Janet Jackson for being “lewd” during their Super Bowl halftime shows.
In its mention of Rihanna’s halftime show from a couple of years ago, the Louisiana politicians refused to even repeat what her lyrics were because they found it so offensive, saying that she was “groping herself while she sang song lyrics that were so offensive that few Louisiana adults could read those lyrics before an audience without shame.”
Super Bowl halftime show performances from the past decade done by fellow pop stars such as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, however, were not cited. It’s unclear why they Louisiana Republicans did not cite Perry, in particular, given the content of her performance from Super Bowl XLIX in 2014, especially considering the crux of their concern is about making the halftime show “family friendly.”
Katy Perry performing ‘I Kissed A Girl’ at Super Bowl XLIX / NBC
“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,” they wrote.
As for Lopez’s performance alongside Shakira in 2020, the letter accuses her of “wearing little clothing and was groped by male and female dancers on stage, while the performer made sexually suggestive gestures and performed on a stripper pole.”
“The Super Bowl is a family tradition, and since Louisiana allocated state funds this year, its events should reflect wholesome values. While certainly a large amount of support exists among many Louisianans who are excited about the Super Bowl coming back to New Orleans, many 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 from Louisiana Senator Valarie Hodges reads.
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. pic.twitter.com/NCoaqbpbgb
— Valarie Hodges (@ValarieHHodges) January 27, 2025
In addition to 17-time Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar, SZA has also been confirmed to be performing during the halftime show, which will certainly feature additional still-unannounced surprise appearances.
Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs — favored by two-points in the matchup as they seek a historic third-straight Super Bowl title — and the Philadelphia Eagles will kick off from the Caesar’s SuperDome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sunday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. EST.