Right-wing commentator Nick Adams launched a scathing attack on Beyoncé after her highly publicized halftime performance during the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans NFL game this past Wednesday. The Christmas Day event took place at NRG Stadium and was streamed on Netflix, drawing in millions of viewers. However, Adams voiced strong objections to what he called a “hyper-sexualized” performance by the 43-year-old pop icon.
Adams’ Criticisms on Social Media
Adams, who was appointed to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars by former President Donald Trump in August 2020, used his X (formerly Twitter) account to denounce Beyoncé’s appearance.
“Fans were DISGUSTED by Beyoncé’s hyper-sexualized halftime show yesterday,” Adams wrote. “Millions of parents shut off Netflix within the first 2 minutes of Beyoncé’s scantily clad gyrations and lip-syncing. Football fans would have much preferred a Lee Greenwood show.”
The Australian-born commentator doubled down on his stance the following morning, posting a graphic urging users to describe Beyoncé in one word. Captioning the image with “CRUDE!” he further inflamed the debate.
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Divided Public Reaction
Although some replies mocked Adams for what they considered an overly dramatic assessment—pointing out that Netflix’s ratings actually soared during Beyoncé’s segment—others echoed his sentiment.
“Country singers are classy. This is pure trash,” one X user commented in support of Adams.
Another user wrote: “I’ve learned to not even turn these halftime shows on. They are all disgusting.”
A different critic suggested that Beyoncé is simply not the kind of artist most football fans want to see:
“Football fans are not generally Beyoncé fans. Go to the tailgates, listen to the music from the crowd, and give the fans what they want. It’s not too difficult. People want Jelly Roll, Lil Wayne, and Chris Stapleton, not Beyoncé.”
Despite these complaints, viewership numbers reached a significant peak during Beyoncé’s halftime show, with Netflix reporting a surge as the performance took place. It’s also been reported that Beyoncé received a $20 million paycheck for her appearance.
Portnoy Also Unimpressed
Adams isn’t the only public figure to critique Beyoncé’s halftime set. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy expressed a more measured dissatisfaction, though his stance was less about offense and more about personal preference.
“Beyoncé has been LOST since Destiny’s Child,” Portnoy posted on X, referencing his past remarks claiming he’s always preferred Rihanna.
Multiple Guests and Long-Awaited Return
Beyoncé’s halftime performance marked her first major stage show since controversy arose around her husband, Jay-Z, and disgraced rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who both face allegations of sexual misconduct from 2000. Jay-Z denies the claims, while Diddy—currently in jail on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy—also denies the accusations through his lawyer.
For this grand NFL event, Beyoncé brought out several special guests from her Cowboy Carter album, including Shaboozey and Post Malone. The star power was enough to attract a huge audience, despite the polarizing feedback.
Previously, Beyoncé headlined the Super Bowl halftime stage twice, solidifying her status as one of the most famous live performers in pop music. Her appearance at the Ravens-Texans game added to her NFL legacy, though it clearly left some viewers—Nick Adams among them—wanting a different style of show.
Ongoing Debate Over Halftime Shows
The uproar is part of a broader conversation regarding entertainment choices during prominent NFL events. While critics like Adams maintain that some performances are too risqué for family-oriented football audiences, supporters argue that ratings spikes prove mainstream appeal. Ultimately, the rift highlights the continuing debate over how the league can satisfy its diverse fan base’s varied tastes while delivering marquee entertainment at high-profile events.
