A group of 17 Louisiana legislators sent a letter criticizing previous halftime shows as "lewd" and "offensive," and pushing for future shows hosted in to feature performances that are more "family friendly."
The letter, sent to leaders of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the Louisiana Stadium and Expo District, argues that Louisiana taxpayers should have a say in what the performances look like, since state government contributes money to Super Bowls hosted here.
"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 says.
Read the full letter below.Â
The letter specifically cites the 2023 show that featured Rihanna — "she sang song lyrics that were so offensive that few Louisiana adults could read those lyrics before an audience without shame" — the 2020 halftime show featuring Jennifer Lopez and the 2004 halftime show featuring Janet Jackson's "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 says.
The lawmakers acknowledged that contracts for the current Super Bowl had already been signed and the halftime show wouldn't change. But they requested 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."
This year's halftime show will feature rapper Kendrick Lamar, who has won 17 Grammys and the Pulitzer Prize for Music and whose high-profile feud with fellow mega-star Drake dominated music streaming last year. It will also feature SZA, a four-time Grammy winner and star of the film "One of Them Days" alongside Keke Palmer and Maude Apatow.
The lawmakers who signed the letter are all Republicans from outside of New Orleans. They include:
- Sen. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs
- Sen. Adam Bass, R-Bossier City
- Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek
- Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge
- Sen. Mike Fesi, R-Houma
- Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen
- Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia
- Sen. Thomas A. Pressly, R-Monroe
- Sen. Jeremy Stine, R-Lake Charles
- Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray
- Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City
- Rep. Kellee Dickerson, R-Denham Springs
- Rep. Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales
- Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton
- Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge
- Rep. Charles Owen, R-Rosepine
- Roger Wilder, R-Denham Springs
