What’s New?
Beyoncé delivered her highly-anticipated halftime show at the Christmas Day NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens in her first public performance of songs from her 2024 album Cowboy Carter. While fans applauded the show, some conservatives blasted it for being “hyper-sexualized” and “inappropriate” for family audiences. Tomi Lahren, a Fox News contributor and host of OutKick’s Tomi Lahren Is Fearless, disagreed with her fellow conservatives, calling out the “faux outrage” and supporting Beyoncé’s skills.
Can we stop with the faux outrage about Beyoncé? I’m not her biggest fan either, but she put on a good performance and she is immensely talented.
As conservatives, we don’t have to be outraged by everything, it’s a tired charade.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) December 26, 2024
Why It Matters
Lahren’s comment reflects a growing split within conservative circles over the culture wars. While some voices continue to criticize high-profile entertainers, others, like Lahren, are questioning whether this approach is effective or sincere. Her comments arrive as Beyoncé’s performances increasingly serve as both cultural milestones and lightning rods for debate.
Eric Christian Smith/AP Photo
What To Know
Beyoncé’s show combined Texan rodeo imagery with modern pop culture. It included horseback entrances and guest appearances from Post Malone, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Brittney Spencer, Shaboozey, Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band members, and her daughter, Blue Ivy.
This comes months after the Texas Hold ‘Em singer made an appearance at Vice President Kamala Harris’s Houston rally back in October during Harris’s presidential run. President-elect Donald Trump had then criticized the appearance, claiming the performance was lackluster and lacked the energy many expected. Trump, 78, described the October 25 event, saying, “Everyone’s expecting a couple of songs, and there were no songs.” He continued, “There was no happiness. It’s just like, ‘give me my check. I want to get out of here.'”
Despite Trump’s dismissal of the event, Beyoncé delivered a powerful endorsement for Harris during the rally. “We are so happy to be standing here on this stage as proud, country, Texas women supporting and celebrating the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris,” Beyoncé said. “It’s impossible not to feel the energy in this room, the positivity, the community, the humanity. We are at the precipice of an incredible shift. The brink of history.”
Beyoncé also made it clear that her appearance was driven by personal values, stating, “I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother. A mother who cares, deeply, about the world my children and all of our children live in.” She voiced her concerns about freedom and unity, adding, “A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies. A world where we’re not divided.”
Fans were DISGUSTED by Beyoncé’s hyper-sexualized halftime show yesterday.
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.pic.twitter.com/Wxxo8pYoO6
— Nick Adams (@NickAdamsinUSA) December 26, 2024
What People Are Saying
Conservative commentator Nick Adams on X criticized the performance, and accused Beyoncé of promoting “hyper-sexualized” content, claiming millions of families turned off Netflix during her set. Newsweek was unable to verify this claim and has reached out to Netflix for comment.
Internet personality Vince Lagman on X called the show a “complete s*** show.”
What Happens Next?
As Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter continues to dominate music charts and win accolades, her performances will likely remain cultural flashpoints.