It’s no secret that Super Bowl performances have been used to make political statements to an unlikely audience. Just last year, Beyonce paid tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and alluded to Black Panthers during her highly politicized and controversial performance of ‘Formation.’ And then, Coldplay put on a show while the audience held up a giant rainbow flag in celebration of marriage equality.
Both artists used their platform of 111.9 million viewers to challenge police brutality and promote a message of love and equality for all. Since the Super Bowl is usually one of the most watched programs in the United States (Advertisers shelled out almost 5 million dollars for a commercial slot during the game) it only makes sense for the half-time performers to use their allotted time to spread a personal or political message to the masses.
This year, Lady Gaga is scheduled to perform the 51st annual Super Bowl and she clearly couldn’t be more excited:
Lady Gaga may be exactly sure about what she’s going to do but the rest of us aren’t and we are eagerly waiting to see what she has in store. Especially since the rumors that swirled around that she was prohibited by the NFL to talk about Trump during her performance have since been denied by the National Football League itself, we are anticipating what this fellow activist and feminist may have up her sleeve this time around.
Gaga is known for her passionate activism for the LGBTQ+ community, anti-bullying campaigns, mental health reform, and just last year she dropped ‘Til It Happens to You’ a song and video that calls for the minimization of on-campus sexual assault.This pop sensation is no stranger to speaking up and fighting for what she believes is right. And this Super Bowl seems like the most appropriate and wide-scale place to drop another political statement just weeks after Trump’s inauguration ceremony. Will she allude to Trump’s own sexual assault scandal? Will she reassure the LGBTQ+ community that she’s standing by their side? Will she stand with Planned Parenthood on national television? Or will she shade Tulip Longhorn and point out to her that, clearly, we need more than just football and other sports to get by– considering that the biggest sporting event of the year needs a musical intermission to help bring in more views?
Only time will tell and I honestly hope she challenges each and every one of us to rise up against and resist any dirty thing Trump and his cabinet tries to throw our way.
