Fans shocked after Beyoncé pulled banned gesture during NFL halftime show that gets players fined Beyoncé performed at the NRG Stadium on December 25

Fans shocked after Beyoncé pulled banned gesture during NFL halftime show that gets players fined

Beyoncé’s Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday broadcast has received a divided response on social media after she pulled a banned gesture.

 

On December 25, halfway through the second game of the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens vs the Houston Texans, Beyoncé took to the stage at the NRG Stadium in Houston.

Beyonce fan interrupts ‘mute challenge’
Credit: Twitter/@heyyitsjanea
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Entering the stadium on a white horse wearing a white cowboy hat and matching outfit, she performed renditions of ’16 Carriages,’ ‘Blackbird,’ ‘Levii’s Jeans’ and ‘Texas Hold’Em’ and invited guest stars such as Post Malone and Shaboozey up on stage.

Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy even joined her up on stage as a dancer.

However, her performance has been met with mixed reviews online after the singer was spotted performing a banned gesture during ‘Texas Hold’Em’.

Beyoncé performed at the NRG Stadium on December 25 (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Beyoncé performed at the NRG Stadium on December 25 (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The singer was raised up on a platform during her performance.

The words ‘Bang’ were unfurled behind her and Beyoncé made a gesture of a finger gun – using her thumb, index or middle finger to mimic a handgun.

And it didn’t take long for people to flood to social media to weigh in.

She performed a banned gesture (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

She performed a banned gesture (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

One Twitter user said: “Queen Bey’s tone-deaf finger gun display at Netflix’s Christmas game highlights celebrity privilege, while NFL players get fined for basic touchdown celebrations.

“The performance, her first since husband Jay-Z’s legal troubles made headlines, seemed more focused on controversy than Christmas spirit, complete with mock shootouts at a family event.

“Looks like the self-proclaimed Queen of Texas just proved there’s one set of rules for celebrities and another for everyone else – even in her hometown stadium.”

“Would just like to note that Beyoncé is doing the double gun gesture which is banned in the NFL and a 15 yard penalty,” another added.

A third commented: “One set of rules for celebrities and another for everyone.”

NFL executive Troy Vincent has previously spoken out about the rule – which has seen the likes of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and tight end David Njoku fined over $10,000.

Social media users are weighing in over the gesture (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Social media users are weighing in over the gesture (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

He said: “There’s no place in professional football for that. Think about where we are as a society… I don’t think that’s where we are and what we’re trying to represent. We have a responsibility as professional athletes.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added: “Troy had a direct conversation with the union, I think, just last week about it. We’re going to continue on that focus. We don’t think it’s appropriate in those circumstances and sends the wrong messages. So, we’ll continue to do that.”

UNILAD has contacted Beyoncé’s representatives for comment.

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  • Beyonce needs to Fined for impersonating a country singer , that was HORRIBLE!! NO COUNTRY RHYTHM AT ALL !!! just a bunch of jumping around in country clothing… It’s just embarrassing! Go away Beyonce

    38

  • What does one expect from This!

    4

  • She ruined the whole day. Worst half time ever

    33

  • Lollllll an article about nothing !

    8

Featured Image Credit: Alex Slitz/Getty

Topics: SportBeyonceMusicCelebrityUS News

Super Bowl viewers concerned for fan after he gets thrown through the air during Usher’s halftime show

Super Bowl viewers concerned for fan after he gets thrown through the air during Usher’s halftime show

A blue-shirted man seriously stole the show during Usher’s halftime performance

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

Super Bowl viewers have taken to social media to question whether an attendee made it out of the halftime show crowd in one piece.

Nevada’s Allegiant Stadium played host to the 58th National Football League’s (NFL) annual championship game on Sunday, 11 February.

Despite a strong start from the San Francisco 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs snatched a 25-22 win in overtime and managed to defend their Super Bowl title.

This weekend’s victory marks the fourth time the Chiefs have hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Amazingly, it’s also their third title win in just five seasons.

Fan ‘goes flying’ during Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show
Credit: X/@ayeejuju
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While many American football fans tuned in to see the likes of Travis Kelce and Christian McCaffrey on the field, others flipped over just for the annual Super Bowl halftime show.

This year, R&B legend Usher ploughed through his extensive back catalogue of hits and was joined on stage by special guests will.i.amAlicia Keys, Ludacris and Lil Jon.

After opening with 2005’s smash-hit ‘Caught Up’, the 45-year-old dived into renditions of ‘Superstar’, ‘My Boo’ and ‘U Got It Bad’.

However, the hitmaker’s frenetic 15-minute live set has been slightly overshadowed by one truly bizarre crowd moment.

One Usher fan had an insane view of the halftime show when he was launched into the sky.

X/@ayeejuju

At one point in the show, Lil Jon took the mic and sang a snippet of his and DJ Snake’s 2013 collaboration track, ‘Turn Down For What’.

Naturally, the crowd went wild but one guy in a blue shirt totally stole the limelight when he was tossed up in the air.

As the 53-year-old rapper jumped alongside the crowd, one of the show’s supporters could be seen being launched up into the sky.

During his trip, the partygoers’ limbs were shaking before he eventually belly-flopped back into the crowd below him.

The camera followed his baffling flight before he fell and strangely wasn’t seen on the live footage again.

After this guy got some serious height, the wacky scene was posted on social media and has since gone viral.

Many users of X, formerly Twitter, have taken to the platform to query whether the unidentified man is okay and that he survived the launch unscathed.

The man's limbs failed before he fell back into the crowd.

X/@ayeejuju

Others jumped on to claim that the man was probably having an absolute blast and that he would’ve had the best view in the house for a split second.

One viewer commented: “The players are dropping like flies and that dude is having the time of his life.”

A second said: “Someone see if this man is okay…”

“He will be fine,” laughed another.

A fourth commented: “Nah he good… took 1 for da team.”

Another football fan joked: “He had way too much Redbull.”

Featured Image Credit: X/@ayeejuju

Topics: SportNFLKansas City ChiefsSan Francisco 49ersUsherMusic

Beyoncé changes the lyrics to 'Jolene' by Dolly Parton and everyone is saying the same thing

Beyoncé changes the lyrics to ‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton and everyone is saying the same thing

Beyoncé changes the lyrics to ‘Jolene’ and her fans have gone into overdrive asking who the song is a warning to

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard Kaonga

With the release of Beyoncé’s latest album Cowboy Carter, fans have been sent into a frenzy after seeing how she changed the lyrics in one of her songs.

The BeyHive is certainly buzzing today.

Beyoncé’s fans had their wait of her new album finally come to an end today (March 29).

Cowboy Carter has gone down a hit with fans and critics alike, scoring 91 percent on review aggregator Metacritic, the same score as her iconic 2022 Renaissance album.

Listeners have, however, said single ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ bears a weird similarity to the theme tune of a 90s kids TV show, while one country music station has been accused of racism after it didn’t play Beyoncé’s new singles.

One of the songs on the album fans are particularly going wild over is ‘Jolene’.

One of the songs proving to be most popular on her Cowboy Carter album is Jolene.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The song is essentially a cover of the 1973 Dolly Parton song of the same name with altered lyrics… and fans are loving it.

Parton’s version of the song is also a favorite to many fans, but Beyoncé has significantly changed the mood of the song with her rendition.

How did Beyoncé change the lyrics to ‘Jolene’?

Parton’s song is very much a plea to a woman whose ‘beauty is beyond compare’ to not steal her husband away from her.

Much of the song is Dolly wishing this seemingly perfect woman go after any of the other men she can have than try and ruin the marriage of the singer.

We all know the chorus:

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m begging of you please don’t take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don’t take him just because you can

Beyoncé, forever defiant, didn’t really feel like being as vulnerable in her version.

The Queen Bee’s rendition is a warning to the woman to stay clear of her man or face the consequences.

The meaning of Dolly Parton's song has been altered significantly.

Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

Her chorus goes:

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Don’t take the chance because you think you can

Beyoncé insists that her union with her man is strong enough to withstand the flirtatious antics of a woman trying to break up a 20-year relationship.

For instance, a segment of Parton’s verse goes:

And I can easily understand

How you could easily take my man

But you don’t know what he means to me

Jolene

Beyoncé on the other hand:

I can easily understand

Why you’re attracted to my man

But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (You heard me)

What do the BeyHive make of the song?

Many fans have loved this version and questioned whether this is Beyoncé warning ‘Becky with the good hair’, a woman the music star has never named, but is often referred to by her fans as the woman Jay-Z seemingly had an affair with back in 2015.

The Queen Bee’s rendition is defiant and a warning to the woman to stay clear of her man.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood

“Jolene is definitely @Beyonce warning Becky with the good hair to leave her man Sean carter,” one user remarked on social media.

“Dolly Parton calling Becky with the good hair a hussie, leading into Beyoncé doing her version of Jolene is my multiverse of madness,” another joked.

“Between Dolly calling Becky with the good hair a hussy and Beyoncé telling Jolene she don’t want no smoke, I’m on the f****** floor,” commented another

“Beyoncé said ‘I ain’t forget about you Becky,'” a fourth simply said.

The album has certainly been well received on social media with some arguing it will likely be a contender for best album of the year.

Other fans also said that the artist was right in saying it is not a country album, but simply a Beyoncé album.

Full lyrics to Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m begging of you please don’t take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don’t take him just because you can

Your beauty is beyond compare

With flaming locks of auburn hair

With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

Your smile is like a breath of spring

Your voice is soft like summer rain

And I cannot compete with you

Jolene

He talks about you in his sleep

And there’s nothing I can do to keep

From crying when he calls your name

Jolene

And I can easily understand

How you could easily take my man

But you don’t know what he means to me

Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m begging of you please don’t take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don’t take him just because you can

You could have your choice of men

But I could never love again

He’s the only one for me

Jolene

I had to have this talk with you

My happiness depends on you

And whatever you decide to do

Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m begging of you please don’t take my man

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Please don’t take him even though you can

Jolene, Jolene

Beyonce and Jay-Z at the Grammys.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Full lyrics to Beyoncé’s ‘Jolene’

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

Don’t take the chance because you think you can

You’re beautiful, beyond compare

Takes more than beauty and seductive stares

To come between a family and a happy man

Jolene, I’m a woman too

Thе games you play are nothing new

So you don’t want no hеat with me, Jolene

We’ve been deep in love for twenty years

I raised that man, I raised his kids

I know my man better than he knows himself (Yeah, what?)

I can easily understand

Why you’re attracted to my man

But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (You heard me)

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’m warnin’ you, woman, find you your own man

Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene

I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne (Don’t try me)

There’s a thousand girls in every room

That act as desperate as you do

You a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (What?)

I had to have this talk with you

‘Cause I hate to have to act a fool

Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene

Me and my man crossed those valleys

Highs and lows and everything between

Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds

I sleep good, happy

‘Cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds

I know my man’s gon’ stand by me, breathin’ in my gentle breeze

I crossed those valleys

Highs and lows and everything between

Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds

Good and happy

‘Cause you can’t dig up them planted seeds

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene

I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me, Jolene

I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me

(I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me)

I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me, Jolene

Featured Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood/Getty / Jon Morgan/CBS via Getty Images

Topics: MusicBeyonceDolly PartonUS NewsCelebritySocial Media

Jay-Z calls out Grammys after Beyoncé was snubbed for Album of the Year

Jay-Z calls out Grammys after Beyoncé was snubbed for Album of the Year

Jay-Z was joined on stage by his and Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy.

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

The BeyHive are flooding to social media in support after Jay-Z called out the Grammys for not awarding Beyoncé ‘Album of the Year’.

Beyoncé may be the Queen of Pop, but one crown she is yet to be honoured with is the award for ‘Album of the Year’.

And when he went up to accept his award at the 66th Annual Grammy AwardsJay-Z decided to call out the Recording Academy’s history with the ‘Album of the Year’ award. Catch the moment here:

Jay-Z criticises Grammys over ‘Album of the Year’ award
Credit: CBS
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Jay-Z went up on stage to collect the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.

The Award was created last year to mark the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and is presented to artists in recognition of their ‘dedication to the art form that has greatly influenced the industry,’ the Grammys website states.

However, during his acceptance speech, the 54-year-old rapper reflected on his boycotting of the Grammys in 1998 after DMX wasn’t nominated for best album of the year and went on to criticise the Recording Academy for not recognising a certain ‘young lady’ in its 2024 ‘Album of the Year’ award – ultimately won by Taylor Swift.

Jay-Z was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.

Getty Images/ Kevin Winter/ The Recording Academy

Joined by his and Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy up on the stage, Jay-Z said he wants the awards ceremony to ‘get it right’.

He continued: “At least getting close to right. And obviously it’s subjective. Y’all don’t gotta clap at everything. Obviously it’s subjective because, you know, it’s music and it’s opinion-based.

“But, you know, some things — I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. The most Grammys, never won album of the year. That doesn’t work.

“You know, some of you gonna go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in a category. No, when I get nervous I tell the truth.”

“But outside of that, we got to keep showing up. Forget the Grammys for a second, just in life. As my daughter sits and stands with me as nervous as I am. Just in life, you got to keep showing up. […] Until they give you all those accolades you think you deserve. Until they call you chairman. Until they call you a genius. Until they call you the greatest of all time.”

And while he didn’t mention the ‘young lady’ by name, fans are convinced Jay-Z was talking about pop star – and his partner – Beyoncé.

Beyoncé has never won 'Album of the Year'.

Getty Images/ Kevin Mazur/ The Recording Academy

The BeyHive have since flocked to social media in praise of Jay-Z’s speech.

One X – formerly known as Twitter – user said: “Man’s just laying down facts.”

“Jay-Z spoke REAL,” another added.

However, a third wrote: “She always had strong competition like Adele and Bruno Mars who absolutely deserved it, I think it’s also because Beyonce doesn’t make and write her albums herself… It’s well known that she doesn’t. Just a thought , I love her.”

UNILAD has contacted the Grammys for comment.

Featured Image Credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Topics: Jay-ZBeyonceGrammysMusicCelebrityUS NewsFilm and TV

Country singer kicks fan out of concert for 'hitting a woman' during show

Country singer kicks fan out of concert for ‘hitting a woman’ during show

Scotty McCreery described the incident as ‘absolutely unacceptable’

Emily Brown

Emily Brown

County music star Scotty McCreery was filmed kicking a fan out of his gig in Colorado after they allegedly ‘hit’ a woman in the crowd.

McCreery was entertaining fans at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colorado, and had just launched in to his song ‘It Matters To Her’ when he suddenly brought things to a halt on August 24.

In a video from the gig filmed by fan Rebekah Mauro, the crowd could be heard cheering and clapping as McCreery sung the first few words of his track.

Scotty McCreery accuses fan of hitting a woman
Credit: Rebekah Mauro/Storyful
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But just a few seconds in, he suddenly stopped and said: “Hey hey hey hey, right here, right here, that’s a lady you just hit sir!”

Jessica Rosario, who was at the gig, described the incident to PEOPLE magazine, saying: “Scotty was talking about his wife [Gabi’s] favorite song in this video. As he started to sing, he noticed a man who allegedly hit a female and stopped the show and had him removed by security.”

The video shows McCreery calling on security to find the man, while other members of the crowd can be heard shouting: “Get him out!”

“Is she okay? Get the heck out of here,” McCreery added, while his band stood in silence, waiting for the situation to be resolved.

After a few moments, McCreery implied a police officer had arrived at the scene as he told the crowd: “Y’all let the cop know who hit the lady, because that’s absolutely unacceptable.”

McCreery brought his show to a standstill after the alleged incident (River Callaway/Penske Media via Getty Images)

McCreery brought his show to a standstill after the alleged incident (River Callaway/Penske Media via Getty Images)

“Y’all good, ya good down there? Y’all good, Colorado?,” McCreery continued. Whoever you are, that’s the definition of a coward, hitting a lady. Get the heck out of here.”

Once the man had been successfully removed from the gig, the crowd began to cheer and McCreery started to go on with the show.

The identity of the man and woman involved in the alleged incident have not been revealed at the time of writing (29 August), though authorities have confirmed there is an investigation underway.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Olga Robak, director of communications with The Colorado Department of Agriculture, said: “We can confirm that an incident took place at the Scotty McCreery concert where a man assaulted a woman and the performer stopped the show.

The crowd cheered as the man was removed (Rebekah Mauro/Storyful)

The crowd cheered as the man was removed (Rebekah Mauro/Storyful)

“This incident is still under investigation and we cannot comment further.”

Robak added that Colorado State Fair security assisted with crowd control during the incident.

A representative for McCreery has said the singer has declined to comment on the incident.

In a statement to UNILAD, the Colorado Department of Agriculture Director of Communications and Public Awareness said: “The victim of the incident at the Scotty McCreery concert was evaluated by an onsite EMT and paramedic team the night of the incident. She declined transportation by ambulance to a hospital.

“The man who allegedly assaulted her was identified by the Colorado State Fair Police that night. The Colorado State Fair Police have referred charges in this case to the Pueblo County District Attorney’s office.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.

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