Madonna, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and Cee Lo Green put on a show-stopping performance at Sunday’s NFL Super Bowl, but not without some controversy.
The “Bad Girl” rapper flipped the bird while performing with the pop queen, causing the NFL and NBC to issue apologies.
“Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers,” said NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey.
The controversial incident occurred during Madonna’s performance of her new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” Cameras cut to M.I.A., who threw up the middle finger and rapped a barely disguised expletive (“I don’t give a shi—”).
NBC, who showed live coverage of the Super Bowl halftime performance, barely got a chance to censor the incident. Officials from the NFL and NBC have apologized to anyone who was offended while viewing the family-friendly event, which is the most watched TV program of the year with over 100 million people tuning in.
“The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans,” McCarthy said.
M.I.A. has yet to address the situation.
