The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most anticipated musical events of the year. Every year, fans await the news of which megastar will be performing during the coveted time slot that is broadcast around the world.
It has been 16 years since Shania Twain, the last country artist to have the honor, performed during the halftime show. But, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood have each performed the national anthem prior to the big game in the last decade.
On Sunday night (February 3), all eyes were on pop group Maroon 5 as they took the stage during the Super Bowl matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. Maroon 5 frontman and veteran The Voice coach Adam Levine faced a great deal of backlash after agreeing to perform during the big game, including petitions to get the band to back out to show solidarity with Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality and racial oppression.
The 39-year old said of Maroon 5’s decision to perform, “No one thought about it more than I did. No one put more thought and love into this than I did…I spoke to many people, most importantly though, I silenced all the noise and listened to myself, and made my decision about how I felt.”
Levine’s decision was criticized by Kaepernick’s attorney who said, “If you’re going to cross this idealogical or intellectual picket line, then own it, and Adam Levine certainly isn’t owning it. It’s a cop-out when you start talking about, ‘I’m not a politician; I’m just doing the music.’ Most of the musicians who have any kind of consciousness whatsoever understand what’s going on here.”
Despite the protests, Maroon 5 followed through and delivered a safe, drama-less halftime show. According to posts made by fans on social media, the highlight of the performance wasn’t the band’s performance of some of their biggest bits, but was the moment that Levine stripped off his shirt and showed off his toned, tattooed torso.
Best part of Super Bowl is when Adam Levine took his shirt off!!
— jennifer blaisdell (@jblais16) February 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/danaski23/status/1092255077081980928
https://twitter.com/laxindie/status/1092255074905214977
Adam Levine! #SuperBowl2019 it’s getting hot up in here! Oh … those tats! 🤤
— Stacy Casey (@stacycasey43) February 4, 2019
Check out the photo below and let us know if you agree with the sentiments of the fans?
Watch the moment that has everyone talking in the video below.
I got them mooooves…
Great show, @maroon5! 🎤👏 #SBLIII pic.twitter.com/sdAOPuvhr2
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2019