LOS ANGELES — For a show that lasts roughly 13 minutes, the Super Bowl halftime performance has fueled decades of conversation. Sometimes, a single moment ignites the debate – like the “wardrobe malfunction” involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Other times, it’s the layered symbolism within the performance itself, from Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 staging referencing children in immigration detention to Kendrick Lamar’s carefully constructed Black storytelling, delivered while Donald Trump watched from the stands.
As Bad Bunny prepares to take the stage at the 60th Super Bowl, the event’s history of controversy and cultural impact looms large. His performance places Latin identity at the center of America’s most-watched television event, prompting discussion about language, culture, and the boundaries of artistic expression within a tightly controlled show.
The most enduring halftime controversy unfolded at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, when Janet Jackson performed with Justin Timberlake. In the closing seconds of “Rock Your Body,” Timberlake briefly revealed Jackson’s breast, an incident immediately dubbed a “wardrobe malfunction.” The fallout was swift and far-reaching. CBS, which broadcast the game, was initially fined $550,000 by the Federal Communications Commission, though that penalty was later overturned. Broadcasters subsequently increased the use of broadcast delays for live events.
However, the consequences weren’t distributed equally. Jackson was disinvited from the Grammy Awards the following week and largely retreated from public view, while Timberlake’s career continued uninterrupted. Years later, Timberlake acknowledged a reconciliation with Jackson, but the disparity in their treatment sparked renewed criticism in 2018 when he was announced as a future halftime performer. Critics argued that the incident highlighted a racial and gender double standard, with Jackson, a Black woman, bearing the brunt of the repercussions.
The Super Bowl halftime show isn’t solely defined by moments of scandal. Beyoncé’s 2016 performance of “Formation” became a “moment of cultural declaration,” leaning heavily into Black history and identity. Dancers in Black Panther-inspired attire, raised fists, and symbolic formations underscored the song’s message of Black pride and self-definition. While widely acclaimed, the performance also drew criticism from conservative commentators and some law enforcement groups who accused it of promoting anti-police sentiment.
That same year, Coldplay’s halftime show, featuring Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, aimed for a message of unity and inclusion. The set featured a rainbow-colored stage, vibrant dancers, and a crowd mosaic spelling out “Believe in Love.” However, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ symbolism also drew criticism from some conservative groups.
In 2022, Eminem’s performance during the hip-hop-focused halftime show, which also featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar, sparked debate when he took a knee at the end of his set. This gesture was widely interpreted as a tribute to Colin Kaepernick, who had previously protested police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem. Reports suggested the NFL had discouraged the gesture, though the league disputed this claim, stating they were aware of the planned action.
The NFL has consistently maintained “guardrails” around the halftime show, particularly when performances veer into political commentary. Despite this, artists have occasionally tested those limits. Ahead of Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 performance with Shakira, the NFL reportedly raised concerns about a segment referencing children held in immigration detention facilities. Lopez refused to remove the imagery, opting instead for visual symbolism to critique U.S. Immigration policies.
Even seemingly innocuous moments can become flashpoints. During Madonna’s 2012 halftime show, M.I.A. Briefly flashed a middle finger toward the camera, resulting in a fine and a legal dispute with the NFL. The sides later settled the case.
The Super Bowl halftime show, lasting approximately 13 minutes, consistently magnifies everything – fashion, choreography, and symbolism – inviting interpretation on a massive scale. As Bad Bunny prepares to take the stage, the weight of this history, and the potential for both celebration and controversy, is undeniable. The conversation surrounding his performance extends beyond music, touching on language, culture, and the degree of artistic freedom he will be afforded within a show long shaped by NFL oversight.
