The Super Bowl for the year 2023 was just conducted on February 12, 2023. The Super Bowl was in the limelight this year not because of the game or the teams competing, but for its halftime show which was headlined by none other than Rihanna. This was Rihanna’s first performance in nearly five years and the hype surrounding the halftime show was at an all-time high. The Halftime Show headlined by Rihanna had a record 118 million viewers which was much higher than Super Bowl which garnered 113 million viewers. This year’s show was just second to the 2015 Super Bowl which was headlined by Katy Perry.
But along with the massive number of viewers came hundreds of FCC complaints against the singer’s performance. FCC or Federal Communications Commission is an organization that receives complaints from consumers related to different telecom and broadcast companies. The FCC receives complaints from viewers if the content broadcast on TV feels provocative or not suitable for children and young teens. A Super Bowl performance receiving FCC complaints is nothing new. In fact, the FCC receives multiple complaints every year after a Super Bowl performance. So what are the complaints against Rihanna and what do they mean? Let’s find out.
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FCC Complaints Against Rihanna’s Show
Rihanna’s performance during the Super Bowl Halftime show garnered 103 complaints at the FCC. The complaints were mostly about the ‘suggestive’ dancing and moves of the singer and her dancers. The FCC received complaints opposing the gyrating movements during the performance. The complaints also mentioned explicit lyrics in the music and touching of genitals followed by finger-sniffing by the singer.
Multiple complaints mentioned how the Super Bowl is supposed to be a family-friendly show and how such performances are not suitable for children and teenagers. Many people complained about the glorification of being a stripper and the over-sexualization of women.
One complaint said, “The sexualization, genital grabbing, sniffing of her fingers, man pulling off his jacket and then gyrating all while singing lyrics far too inappropriate for a family sports event. I will NOT watch this again next year if this is how you are going to disrespect our nation.”
Another complaint said, “Very disappointed that you would allow this to be shown on this big stage. America is better than this.” Yet another person noted, “I really don’t want to see 30 backup dancers doing pelvic thrusts. Ew. Also, twerking should rank up there with the F-bomb.”
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Past Complaints About Celebrity Performances
Such complaints are nothing new to the fans of the Super Bowl. In fact, the infamous wardrobe malfunction during Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s performances managed to get over 540,000 complaints submitted to the FCC, even though the malfunction was an accident.
Even Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s Super Bowl performances did not escape the wrath of complaints. The all-woman performance led to more than 1000 complaints with the FCC. This is very frequent after a well-known artist’s performance, especially if the artist is a woman of color or a member of the LGBTQ community.
Other non-Super Bowl-related performances have also managed to receive multiple complaints at the FCC. The WAP performance at the Grammys 2021 by Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B irked many viewers. Several viewers complained how the performance was ‘pornographic’ and ‘vulgar’ and not suitable for a TV audience. Similarly, the Grammy 2023 performance of Unholy featuring Sam Smith and Kim Petras was deemed ‘Anti-Christian’. Many people accused both singers of Devil-worshipping and criticized them for their performance.
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