Photo Credit: mana5280
A group of 17 Louisiana legislators have sent an open letter to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the Louisiana Stadium and Expo District complaining about past Super Bowl Halftime performances—calling them ‘lewd’ and ‘offensive.’
The legislators argue that Louisiana taxpayers have a say in what these performances should look like, since the state government contributes money to Super Bowls hosted in the state. “While certainly a large amount of support exists among many Louisianians 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 begins.
These legislators specifically cite the 2023 Super Bowl performance by Rihanna, saying “she sang song lyrics that were so offensive that few Louisiana adults could read those lyrics before an audience without shame.” Also cited were the 2020 halftime show featuring Jennifer Lopez and the 2004 halftime show featuring Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake and the infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction.’
“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 continues.
While contracts are already in place for this Super Bowl and this letter is nothing more than performative grandstanding, it does request that “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.” All 17 legislators who signed the letter are Republicans who seem to have forgotten that Bourbon Street exists in New Orleans.