5 Super Bowl Halftime Shows That Sparked Controversies

Throughout almost six decades of Super Bowl history, halftime shows have typically been anodyne affairs, chances for football fans to load up their snack plates. Some moments, however, broke new ground: Ella Fitzgerald joining Carol Channing in a now‑lost set honoring Louis Armstrong; the first rock ’n’ roll performer, Chubby Checker; New Kids on the Block paving the way for contemporary radio pop; Michael Jackson raising the spectacle’s stakes; and, after the N.F.L.

teamed with Jay‑Z’s Roc Nation, a hip‑hop–led show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar. Many spectacles have produced viral images — Katy Perry’s “Left Shark,” Rihanna’s pregnancy reveal, Prince’s suggestive guitar silhouette — yet a handful prompted broader debates about politics, culture and propriety.

This year’s Bad Bunny set, the first all‑Spanish‑language halftime performance, drew criticism from President Trump and prompted the conservative group Turning Point USA to stage counterprogramming.

United States