Beyoncé found herself at the center of controversy on social media following her performance during the NFL halftime show on Christmas Day.
The R&B icon took the stage at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, where the hometown Houston Texans faced off against the Baltimore Ravens—a game that had already stirred emotions prior to her performance. The Ravens dominated the Texans in a lopsided matchup, setting the stage for Beyoncé’s much-anticipated live set.
The 43-year-old superstar made her grand entrance on a striking white horse, a nod to the equestrian imagery prominently featured in her recent album covers, Renaissance and Cowboy Carter. However, her performance drew criticism when she made a gesture resembling a gun with her fingers while performing her hit song, Texas Hold’Em.
The moment became even more contentious as a large banner bearing the word “BANG” unfurled behind her. Beyoncé delivered this dramatic moment while standing on custom-built scaffolding, amplifying the spectacle.
The gesture sparked debate due to its alignment with NFL regulations, which prohibit such actions on the field. Players violating this rule face a 15-yard penalty, making Beyoncé’s use of the gesture particularly provocative in the football arena.
Riding into her halftime appearance on a white horse, the 32-time Grammy winner rocked her hometown Houston crowd with a nearly 13-minute performance on Wednesday.
She surprised fans by bringing out Shaboozey to perform Sweet Honey Buckiin, before Post Malone joined her for Levi’s Jeans.
