Beyoncé’s much-discussed halftime performance during Netflix’s NFL Christmas Day doubleheader has ignited debate over a reported $20 million payout. While neither the “Cowboy Carter” singer nor the streaming platform has confirmed any financial details, social media buzz suggests Beyoncé may have earned over $1 million per minute of her 13-minute spectacle.
An Extravagant Show Under Bright Lights
Beyoncé, 43, took the stage at NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston during the Ravens’ lopsided win over the Texans. Featuring an all-star lineup of guests—Shaboozey, Post Malone, and her 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy—the pop icon delivered a high-energy medley in front of a massive audience on Netflix. It was her first live performance since wrapping up her Renaissance World Tour at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City two months prior.
The singer’s setlist and onstage collaborators fueled conversation online, with many fans calling the Christmas Day show “worthy of a Super Bowl.” The performance also attracted criticism from certain corners—most notably from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Beyoncé has been LOST since Destiny’s Child.”
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Possible Partnership With Netflix
According to widely circulated rumors, Beyoncé’s $20 million haul is part of a larger $60 million, three-project agreement with Netflix, dating back to 2019. The first project under that deal was her documentary “Homecoming,” which chronicled her celebrated 2019 Coachella performance. With the NFL halftime show presumably serving as the second component, fans are eager to see what the third and final installment might entail—possibly another music-centric event, or even a behind-the-scenes tour documentary.
A Halftime Legacy
This was Beyoncé’s third major NFL halftime appearance. She previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2013 and returned in 2016 as a special guest alongside Coldplay and Bruno Mars. Notably, the NFL typically does not pay performers for the Super Bowl halftime show, banking instead on the massive publicity that comes from an audience that can top 100 million viewers worldwide.
Controversy Swirls Around Jay-Z
Adding another layer of intrigue, Beyoncé’s Christmas Day performance marked her first major appearance since a lawsuit raised allegations against her husband, Jay-Z, and disgraced rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The suit alleges a rape incident involving a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000—claims that both Jay-Z and Diddy have vehemently denied. Diddy is currently awaiting trial on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, with his lawyer also denying these new accusations.
Jay-Z has served as the executive producer of the Super Bowl halftime show since 2020, a role that has drawn scrutiny from critics who believe he should step down amid the ongoing lawsuit.
Future Plans and Upcoming Shows
While the rumored $20 million payday remains unconfirmed, industry chatter indicates that Beyoncé’s partnership with Netflix is far from over. A source close to the “Texas Hold ’Em” singer recently hinted to The Sun that she’s set to announce more live performances in the coming weeks, possibly kicking off in Los Angeles next spring.
In the meantime, fans continue to dissect her Christmas Day outing—an event that combined NFL pageantry with a dose of Beyoncé’s hallmark flair.
Whether people loved it or found it overblown, the performance proved once again that, for better or worse, Beyoncé remains one of the world’s most discussed and influential entertainers.
