Rihanna's Super Bowl Halftime Performance Compared To Porn In FCC Complaints
By Fiyin Olowokandi on February 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST
Too hot to handle? Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show leaves conservative viewers feeling bitter!
The pop culture icon needs no introduction as the Barbadian songstress is an international household name. After dominating the music industry with her record-breaking hits, the 35-year-old took over the fashion scene with her Fenty brand.
For years, the world begged for new music, and the mother-of-one finally granted our wishes with a fantastic comeback. For thirteen spectacular minutes, the entertainer wowed the crowd at the 57th NFL show.
However, what many described as the year's event was sexualized content to others. Following the "Diamond" singer's performance, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received over a hundred complaints from outraged viewers.
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Outraged Viewers Flood The FCC With Complaints About Rihanna's Super Bowl Performance
When it comes to stunning female musicians, the "Rude Boy" songstress makes the top list with her undeniable charms. However, being too sexy even while pregnant seems to be a crime.
Critics did not spare the musician or her backup dancers as they slammed them for a pornographic halftime performance. TMZ reported that the FCC, a US government agency responsible for regulating television, received 103 complaints about RiRi's halftime show.
These viewers, who appeared new to the Fenty Beauty founder's content, claimed her songs and choreography were highly sexualized and inappropriate for young viewers. A California critic compared the performance to Sam Smith and Kim Petras's Grammys show, which followed a Hell theme the complainer despised.
"I don't care what someone worships, but children shouldn't be exposed to pornography, and as an adult, I don't wish to see it," the individual whined. "Where has decency gone? How about respect for others and self?"
A viewer from Utah was so offended by the "Where Have You Been" artist's performance that they could not bear to watch it. "This year, the halftime show was so indecent I had to turn off the TV because of the pornographic content," the conservative commenter wrote.
It is important to note that Rihanna dressed modestly for the event. Unlike her previous pregnancy outfits, the multi-hyphenate did not expose her baby bump and covered up in an all-red ensemble. The same could be said about her backup dancers, who donned baggy all-white clothing.
However, their clothing did not stop critics from finding fault in the choreography and songs that they deemed inappropriate. Some complaints noted the dancers made gestures that were "patently offensive and completely inappropriate for children."
Because of her pregnancy, the headliner left most of the choreography to her backup team. However, the few moves RiRi pulled off offended some viewers. A Florida critic noted that the A-lister "spread her a** cheek at the crack" and "rubbed her pants where her labia was three times."
Despite receiving 103 complaints, the Savage x Fenty founder's Super Bowl LVII show paled compared to Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson's 2024 performance. After the viral wardrobe incident, the FCC allegedly received 540,000 queries.
The Grammy Winner's Halftime Show Breaks Super Bowl's Viewers Rating History
Since its inception in 1966, the annual NFL event has become one of the most significant sporting events in the United States. Per The Blast, the televised game received millions of viewers following its debut and has gathered more fans each year.
In 2010, the Super Bowl surpassed its 100-million mark; however, the People's Choice Award winner took the show's ratings to new heights with her phenomenal performance. When Rihanna took the stage on Sunday night, an average of 118.7 million viewers tuned in for the event.
These numbers proved that the Barbadian beauty attracted more people to watch her performance than the NFL game. The playoffs received 113 million viewers, 5.7 million less than the 35-year-old's numbers. However, the game's viewership ratings topped last year's mark by % as 112 million people watched the event.
Additionally, the Teen Choice Award winner's record-breaking ratings brought in a 15% increase from last year's halftime show. An average of 103.4 million people tuned in to watch Dr. Dre perform alongside several other A-listers.
With her numbers, Rihanna's halftime performance is officially the most-watched show. The mother-of-one broke Katy Perry's 2015 ratings of 114.4 million viewers with her incredible viewership record.
