ATLANTA (AP/97. The Ticket) — Maroon 5 has canceled its news conference to discuss the band's Super Bowl halftime performance, choosing to not meet with reporters as most acts have done.
The NFL announced Tuesday that "the artists will let their show do the talking as they prepare to take the stage this Sunday."
pic.twitter.com/UCgQ53ssAN
— NFL345 (@NFL345)
January 29, 2019 In a statement, the NFL said Maroon 5's performance will "meet and exceed the standards of this event."
Maroon 5, with frontman Adam Levine, will be joined by former Outkast member Big Boi and Houston rapper Travis Scott at halftime of the game between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. The NFL says instead of a news conference with the performers, it will use media platforms to show behind-the-scenes footage and content.
While Maroon 5 did not give a reason for its decision, it comes as some entertainers have said social injustice needs to be addressed during the Super Bowl.
Maroon 5 have announced a $500,000 charitable donation ahead of this weekend's Super Bowl halftime show https://t.co/IScD7ZhT1z
— Pitchfork (@pitchfork)
January 29, 2019 That has led to some criticism of performers who are holding events in Atlanta. Jermaine Dupri said he was called a "sellout" for hosting a Super Bowl-related event during a meeting with people who had lost family members as result of police brutality. After the meeting, Dupri and the victims' family members came to a compromise and the music mogul plans to give mothers a platform to speak onstage during his Super Bowl Live event in Atlanta.
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick helped start a wave of protests by kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness to police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues.
Many on social media were quick to speculate that the NFL actually called off the press conference, to avoid Maroon 5 fielding questions about such social injustices.
The NFL canceled the Maroon 5 press conference. With an absolute terrible lie that no one will believe pic.twitter.com/bUKFrJC9O5
— Robert Littal (@BSO)
January 29, 2019 The NFL released a statement saying Maroon 5 will not be holding a press conference before the Super Bowl Halftime show. And instead the artists will have their "show do the talking."Looks like the league is establishing narrative & PR quality control. #SBLIII https://t.co/cQwqYsXrfY
— Erin Ashley Simon (@erinasimon)
January 29, 2019 'We don't want you asking difficult questions about racial and social injustice' https://t.co/rIPYSHsVQc
— Steve O'Rourke (@steveohrourke)
January 29, 2019 Things that have gotten a NFL statement: Maroon 5Things that have not: The refs blowing the most blatant call in playoffs history. https://t.co/Dr07j7MdDi
— Alfredo (@NOLA_Fredo)
January 29, 2019 Basically they don't want to Maroon 5 to be asked why they didn't decline the halftime performance because of the NFL blackballing Kaepernick https://t.co/T50MVq62Tc
— Chans Moleman (@Chantluh)
January 29, 2019 The Associated Press contributed to this story.
