Madonna will provide half-time entertainment at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for Super Bowl Xlvi in 2012, but it seems not everyone is overawed by the high profile booking. While fans of the prolific singer are predictably enthused by the announcement, online reaction has been, on the whole, rather negative.
Those angry at the decision flooded Indianapolis news station Rtv6's Facebook page, with one poster raging, "The first Super Bowl we get to host . they pick her? They should have gotten someone from Indiana". Famous musicians hailing from the state include veteran singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, who certainly would have been a popular choice, and Guns N'Roses frontman Axl Rose, whose band would fit right in at the Super Bowl. Perhaps more fitting would have been a performance by Janet Jackson or members of the Jackson 5, given the family grew up in Gary, Indiana, however, it is assumed Janet's controversial wardrobe malfunction in 2004 leaves her with no desire to return. Another disgruntled Super Bowl fan wrote, "I will be finding other things to do during the halftime show. Leave it to the Nfl to screw up a good thing". The Nfl have a history of favoring experience for the half-time slot, and previous performers have included Tom Petty, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and U2. R&B group The Black Eyed Peas broke that tradition last year, and some have argued the likes of Lady GaGa or Justin Bieber should continue the trend in Indiana. One poster on TheIndyChannel.com said, "(Apparently) Cindy Lauper, George Michael and Flock of Seagulls were too busy".
Despite the backlash, Madonna still remains one of the biggest stars in the world today and will release her 12th studio album next year. The Super Bowl performance is set to be visualised by the acclaimed dramatic entertainment company Cirque Du Soleil and award winning creative director Jamie King.