Bad Bunny’s controversial Super Bowl halftime act triggered a wave of Federal Communications Commission complaints from outraged viewers, who blasted the performance as “pornographic,” “vulgar,” and inappropriate for children.
More than 2,000 complaints were sent to the FCC after the game on Feb. 11, including more than 100 messages describing the Puerto Rican pop star’s performance as raunchy and filled with dirty sex talk, according to TMZ on Friday.
“The Super Bowl halftime show was disgusting. Pornographic gestures and language. This shouldn’t be allowed on public television. There were children watching,” one viewer based in Richfield, Utah wrote.
“That was the most disgusting, vulgar and repulsive thing I have ever seen on public tv,” read a complaint sent from Republic, Mo.
“I was raised with God and religion. I had to go to counseling and therapy after the super bowl … I can’t get the lyrics out of my head. I have PTSD from the Super Bowl,” one person wildly claimed.
“Very vulgar and sexualized for a family gathering in which we should have been warned beforehand. Also the actions of the dancers on screen were inappropriate as well,” another complaint stated.
Others said they were upset they could not understand the Spanish lyrics while some bilingual viewers argued the translated content was inappropriate for broadcast television.
Multiple complaints claimed there would have been “even more uproar” if the lyrics had been performed in English.
Some viewers also described the performance as “anti-American” and accused Bad Bunny of speaking in a “demonic tongue.”
The Post exclusively reported in February that the halftime show had already come under scrutiny from the FCC over possible violations of rules prohibiting “indecent material” and offensive language on public airwaves.
The agency’s initial review found that songs including “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Monaco” and “Safaera” had been censored during the broadcast to remove references to sex acts and genitalia that could have violated FCC standards.
If they had aired uncensored, the lyrics could have run afoul of FCC rules banning profanity and obscenity during primetime hours, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Ahead of the game, Bad Bunny’s selection as halftime performer had already sparked criticism from conservative commentators and online critics.
Charlie Kirk’s organization Turning Point USA produced an alternate “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
Despite the backlash, Bad Bunny’s performance still drew 128.2 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched halftime shows in Super Bowl history.
Past halftime performers, including Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna, have also drawn FCC complaints over their performances.
