7 Super Bowl Halftime Shows That Drew Heavy Criticism
That halftime slot promises glory, glitter, and a permanent spot in pop culture. Occasionally, it also delivers raised eyebrows, confused group chats, and headlines nobody ordered.
One unexpected moment on this stage can flip applause into controversy before the final note even fades.
7. The Weeknd
Even though lavish staging and large budgets guaranteed success, reviews of The Weeknd nonetheless referred to the performance as technically ambitious and emotionally lackluster. Disorientation crept in through restless camera angles, while the absence of guest performers left the stage feeling strangely vacant.
Ambition earned scattered praise, but louder voices kept circling the same question about why the scale didn’t land for every viewer.
Lessons lingered afterward, reminding viewers that money alone cannot manufacture charisma for audiences watching from their couches.
6. Coldplay With Beyoncé And Bruno Mars
When your guest stars overshadow you completely, something went wrong with the game plan. Beyoncé and Bruno Mars delivered electrifying moments that left Coldplay looking like secondary presence at their own party.
Reviews were mixed, with many noting Beyoncé and Bruno Mars outshined Coldplay.
It’s like inviting friends over for dinner and watching them cook the meal while you stand awkwardly by the stove. The performance became a reminder that sharing the spotlight only works when everyone shines equally bright.
5. Shakira And Jennifer Lopez
Audience reactions split fast, with plenty of fans praising the energy and choreography while conservative commentators focused on something else entirely.
Backlash followed in measurable form, as more than 1,300 complaints landed with the Federal Communications Commission over concerns about adult content during family viewing hours. Cultural lines hardened as the performance turned into a flashpoint well beyond music or dance.
Celebration for some registered as scandal for others, reinforcing the long-running truth that halftime stages rarely satisfy every audience watching at home.
4. The Black Eyed Peas
Technical mishaps and clumsy execution quickly turned the halftime show into a spectacle viewers couldn’t stop watching for the wrong reasons.
Vocals wobbled, staging unraveled, and the entire production seemed to buckle under its own ambition once The Black Eyed Peas took the field.
Reaction showed up immediately when ESPN ran a poll revealing that 35 percent of viewers handed out an F grade. Critical response followed the same tone, cementing the performance as one of the most widely panned in Super Bowl history.
3. Maroon 5 With Big Boi And Travis Scott
Many reviews described the set as safe and low-risk. The performance felt safe, uninspired, and forgettable, with guest spots that didn’t change the overall reaction.
Making matters worse, the booking itself sparked controversy tied to the Colin Kaepernick protests against the NFL. Critics slammed the show as a missed opportunity, and even fans struggled to remember specific moments days later.
It’s the type of set that left less moments for subsequent discussion.
2. Bad Bunny
Backlash ignited before the confetti had a chance to settle. Conservative commentators quickly targeted the performance, while some members of Congress pushed for formal investigations into alleged indecency on broadcast television after Bad Bunny took the stage.
Language choice and political undertones became flashpoints, fueling wider arguments about culture, visibility, and who gets represented on America’s biggest platform.
Celebration gave way to confrontation, as controversy swallowed the music and reminded everyone that pop culture and politics collide hardest under the brightest lights.
1. Janet Jackson And Justin Timberlake
Shock rippled through living rooms in a single, unscripted second. During the halftime show, Justin Timberlake pulled part of Janet Jackson’s costume, briefly exposing nudity to millions of viewers.
Backlash arrived instantly, with nearly 540,000 complaints pouring into the Federal Communications Commission.
Fallout reached the network level as CBS faced a $550,000 fine from the FCC and the phrase “wardrobe malfunction” entered the cultural lexicon.
After that night, halftime planning changed forever, forcing producers to scrutinize every second, stitch, and camera angle under the brightest spotlight in television.
Important: The content is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not legal, financial, or professional advice.
This list summarizes widely reported public reactions, critical commentary, and documented complaint or controversy coverage related to Super Bowl halftime performances, and perspectives on what counts as “heavy criticism” can vary by audience, era, and outlet.
