Look, let’s get something straight: I hate that you’re expected to have a political position on the Super Bowl halftime show. And I’m not alone in this feeling. This is something that’s been bothering me for a while now, and I can’t stand it any longer. Why, in 2025, are we still acting like every single event has to be about some bigger political statement? Why can’t we just enjoy a spectacle for what it is — entertainment — without turning it into a battleground for every single ideology out there?
Let me break it down for you. The Super Bowl halftime show has become more than just a musical performance. It’s a cultural phenomenon. But here’s the issue: It’s always got a target on its back. Why? Because it’s not just about the music anymore. Every performance — whether it’s a pop star, a rapper, a rock legend, or an up-and-coming artist — is now scrutinized for its potential political messaging. Suddenly, it’s not about the artist’s talent. It’s not about the art they’re creating. It’s about what they stand for. It’s about the bigger picture. And, folks, that’s a problem.
When did we start thinking that the Super Bowl halftime show — a platform that was originally meant to entertain the masses and showcase top-tier talent — was a soapbox for political rhetoric? What happened to the idea that, just maybe, people should be allowed to do what they do best without it being an agenda-driven act? When did enjoyment take a backseat to “making a statement”? That’s not entertainment. That’s exploitation. And we’re all guilty of it, because we let it happen.
Look, I get it. We live in a time where everything is political. I understand that. But that doesn’t mean every single moment needs to be weighed down by it. Every time an artist steps onto that stage, it shouldn’t automatically trigger the political pundits to dive into their assessments of whether this performance supports or opposes whatever side of the aisle they’re on. Not everything needs to be a political commentary. Let the artists perform their craft without the pressure of needing to represent anything other than themselves.
And here’s the kicker: It’s not just the performers who are under this scrutiny — it’s the fans too. You watch a halftime show, and you feel the pressure. There’s this unspoken expectation: If you like the show, you must support what the performer is saying. If you don’t, well, you might as well be branded a “hypocrite” or worse, a “sellout.” It’s as if the very act of enjoying a performance has become a political statement in itself. That, my friends, is absurd.
Why can’t we have a good time anymore without feeling like we have to choose a side? Why can’t we just appreciate someone like Rihanna for her music, for her artistry, for what she brings to the table without feeling like it has to tie back to some political narrative? The same goes for anyone else. The Super Bowl halftime show is supposed to be about coming together as a nation, not dividing us further by forcing us into these ridiculous boxes. Politics has a time and place, but when it comes to entertainment — especially something as iconic as the Super Bowl — can’t we just enjoy the damn show?
The reality is, the more we push the idea that every performance needs to carry a political message, the more we risk losing the essence of what makes it so great: the art. The talent. The celebration of music and culture. You know, the things that made the halftime show what it is today in the first place. We’re making it less about the music and more about… well, everything else. And that’s not what this should be about.
Bottom line: Stop expecting every artist to make a political statement. Stop forcing every fan to decide where they stand on the issues based on what they see on stage. The Super Bowl halftime show should be a celebration, not a political war zone. So, let’s just enjoy the damn music, people.