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Not everyone enjoyed Beyoncé’s Christmas Day halftime performance.
All eyes were on the superstar, 43, when she hit the field at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, on Wednesday as the Texans battled the Boston Ravens.
Shining in a white body suit and a cowgirl hat, Beyoncé performed several hits from her “Cowboy Carter” album alongside Post Malone and Shaboozey — but when she made a particular move, viewers at home lost their cool.
While singing “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the singer lifted her right hand and made the controversial gun gesture with two fingers. At the same time, a banner with the word “BANG” was released behind Beyoncé.
The National Football League bans the gesture, which results in a 15-yard penalty for any offending player, per Daily Mail.
The combination infuriated viewers, who unloaded their grievances on social media.
“Is the @NFL going to fine @Beyonce for finger guns?!” one angry watcher shared on X (formerly Twitter).
“I was thinking the same thing!! How many players were fined for that?” a second X user replied.
“Where is the flag on Beyonce for the finger guns?!?!” posted a third. “Still not sold on Beyonce as a country artist. Still seems like a pop star that just threw a cowboy hat on. It’s also hilarious that the league has been fining players left and right for finger guns and she’s throwing them around like it’s her job,” added a fourth.
The Post has reached out to the NFL for comment.
Many questioned if the 32-time Grammy winner would be fined for her actions; however, her husband, Jay-Z, has thick ties to the football community.
The NFL entered into a partnership with his record label, Roc Nation, in 2019, agreeing that the company would be the league’s “live music entertainment strategist” and is sticking by him in the wake of his scandal.
Jay-Z was not on hand to watch his wife’s nearly 13-minute performance after being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean “Diddy” Combs at an afterparty following the Video Music Awards in 2000.
It’s important to note that Jay-Z has not been charged in relation to the lawsuit and has denied the allegations, calling them “heinous” and a “blackmail attempt.” His attorney also had some stern words about the growing number of inconsistencies that have surfaced since the lawsuit was filed.
While Jay-Z wasn’t at Beyoncé’s Christmas Day performance, their oldest child, Blue Ivy, 12, stole the show when she came out and danced alongside her famous mother.
English (US)