NFL, NBC Apologize for M.I.A.'s Middle Finger at Super Bowl Half-Time Show
Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty
M.I.A. almost stole the show from Madonna at the jaw-dropping half-time show at Sunday's Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
The 36-year-old rapper (real name: Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) flipped her middle finger as she performed backup for Madonna, 53, alongside Nicki Minaj for the Material Girl's new song "Give Me All You Luvin'."
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The British/Sri Lankan star also uttered a profanity ("I don't give a s***") but the expletive wasn't heard on the live broadcast.
The NFL and NBC alike immediately apologized for the gaffe, which harkened back to Janet Jackson's infamous nip-slip at the Super Bowl alongside Justin Timberlake 8 years ago.
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"The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing and we apologize to our fans," an NFL spokesman said.
Added NBC: "We apologize for the inappropriate gesture that aired during halftime. It was a spontaneous gesture that our delay system caught late." A $500,000 fine was levied by the Federal Communications Commission against CBS following the infamous Janet Jackson moment.
Tell Us What You Think
19no one should have to apologize for someone elses behavior. if she doesn't have the good sense to apologize, which why would she or she would never have done it in the first place, then leave it be. chalk it up to a mistake including her in the show
That use of profanity just showed her lack of intelligence to the entire world.
Never even heard of the loser!
i knew there was more trash to speak of. why not STOP watching and just wait till the players get back on the field. just a thought.
Why do these networks continue to hire these classless rappers and musical performers like MIA? They are loose cannons, paid way too much money to spout off and can't be trusted to play by the rules. NBC should know better after all these years.
Instead of fining the station or anything they should fine the people who pull stunts like this. The stations can only do so much. Since it was not that way in practice and she flipped the bird as well as curse fine her. Make her responsible for her actions. Honestly did not notice it but a lot of children do watch these shows. So it is inappropriate,
Don't fine NBC fine HER sorry bootie 5 million $$$ and others won't do something so stupid on tv.
Yah i thought she was one of the back up dancers..I did some research in utube and listen to one of her songs... and I donot like it at all..sorry thats not the kind of songs I would listen
I really like her but this was unnecessary and classless
LOL...I didn't even notice it honestly and I have no idea who she is! It's funny I noticed Madonna (of course), Nikki M, and Ceelo but never even knew who she was. I thought she was just a backup dancer LOL
True you should apologize to Madonna, you spoiled the show in a way. We live in a freedom Country but not in that manner, okay.
Imagine that! Someone always has to ruin the show, can't ever be classy. Typical.
we just live a crazy world & are surrounded by idiots!
She's 36 years old and thought that doing this would be funny?
prob by she has been M.I.A...lol!
MIA needs to apologize to Madonna first, then the NFL. AND pay the fine if there is one.
No-talent piece of trash that simply wants her 15 minutes of fame in the U.S. Go back to the UK.
No-talent piece of trash that simply wants her 15 minutes of fame in the U.S. Go back to the UK.
someone needs an attitude adjustment and she isn't even that good!