Entertainment
Jay-Z and Beyoncé Earn Mixed Reactions After Sitting During Super Bowl National Anthem
Published
3 years agoon

- Jay-Z and Beyoncé sat during the national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl, prompting a wave of backlash from conservatives like Tomi Lahren and Charlie Kirk.
- The move was surprising to some considering Jay-Z’s partnership with the NFL which gives him influence over music events and social justice initiatives – a deal that many saw as a betrayal of Colin Kaepernick.
- Kaepernick even reshared a post suggesting that the couple’s choice to sit was hypocritical, meanwhile, supporters called the criticism overblown.
Jay-Z’s Relationship With Kaepernick and the NFL
Music superstars Jay-Z and Beyoncé are seeing both backlash and support after not standing during the U.S. national anthem at last night’s Super Bowl.
Footage released by TMZ showed the couple and their daughter, Blue Ivy, seated at Hark Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida during Demi Lovato’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The clip quickly spread across social media and was considered a surprising move by some given Jay-Z’s recent relationship with the National Football League.
In 2019, Jay-Z, a co-producer of the halftime show featuring Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, announced that his Roc Nation company had entered a partnership with the NFL.
The deal gave him influence over NFL music events like the halftime show, as well a hand in “Inspire Change,” the NFL’s new initiative concerning “education and economic advancement, police and community relations, and criminal justice reform,” according to the leagues’ promotional materials. The higher purpose of the partnership is to “bring representation of color and try to foster nationwide cultural dialogue,” Roc Nation executives told The New York Times.
Jay-Z faced immediate backlash at the time of the announcement, especially since he had previously been known for supporting former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick, who sparked controversy for kneeling during the national anthem to protest against police brutality and racism.
Some saw the rapper’s partnership as a betrayal of Kaepernick, including the former football player’s attorney who described it as crossing “the intellectual picket line.”
Jay-Z addressed the criticism in an interview with The New York Times that was published a day before the big game. In it, he said he could deal with the scruitiny if he is able to use the NFL’s platform to convince white football fans that they should also be concerned about police brutality. “As long as real people are being hurt and marginalized and losing family members, then yes, I can take a couple rounds of negative press,” he explained.
“No one is saying he hasn’t been done wrong. He was done wrong,” Jay-Z continued. “I would understand if it was three months ago. But it was three years ago and someone needs to say, ‘What do we do now?’ Because people are still dying.”
He later described himself and Kaepernick as “two adult men who disagree on the tactic but are marching for the same cause.”
Conservatives Slam Jay-Z and Beyoncé
After seeing the clip of the couple sitting during the anthem, many people took to social media to express their frustration. Perhaps one of the loudest conservative voices speaking out against Jay-Z and Beyonce was Fox Nation host Tomi Lahren.
Beyoncé & Jay-Z (former crack dealer)sit for the national anthem because apparently the United States of America has oppressed them with millions upon millions of dollars & fans. Sounds rough. Maybe they should try another country that allows them a little more freedom & success?
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) February 3, 2020
You hate police, Donald Trump, and the spirit of this nation so much you can’t pick your privileged asses off the chair for 2 mins to pay some respect? Despicable.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) February 3, 2020
Other conservatives expressed similar sentiments on Twitter as well, calling the two “pathetic” and “spoiled brats.”
I don’t give a damn whether Beyonce and Jay Z agree with the current administration. They should stand up for the men and women who are fighting each and every day for their ability to rake in millions from the American people. Absolutely pathetic! https://t.co/EzcMQOhs62
— Kyle Morris (@RealKyleMorris) February 3, 2020
Jay Z and Beyoncé sat during the National Anthem at the Super Bowl.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) February 3, 2020
Seems to me, the people who benefit the most from this country also have the most hate for it…
Anti-American spoiled brats Jay-Z and Beyoncé refuse to stand during our Naitonal Anthem
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 3, 2020
This is why black America is defecting from the Democrats
Ruling class hacks deserve to be exposed
RT to show the world their hatred of our country
pic.twitter.com/yfCqDo2TaR
Colin Kaepernick Takes Notice
Even Kaepernick himself, who has refused to watch the Super Bowl and support the NFL, shared a screenshot drawing attention to the couple’s move. The screenshot was of a post made by Miko Grimes, wife of football player Brent Grimes and outspoken critic of the NFL. In her post, she seemed to imply that Jay-Z was being hypocritical by sitting after his partnership with the league by writing, “I thought we were ‘past kneeling’ tho?” over a TMZ headline.
The “past kneeling” comment is a reference to what Jay-Z said last summer about protesting when defending his NFL deal.
“I think we’ve moved past kneeling. I think it’s time to go into actionable items. I don’t want people to stop protesting at all. Kneeling is a form of protest. I support protests across the board,” he said at the time. “We forget that Colin’s whole thing was to bring attention to social injustice. In that case, this is a success. This is the next phase. There [are] two parts of protesting. You go outside and you protest, and then the company or the individual says, ‘I hear you. What do we do next?’”
Supporters Clap Back at the Outrage
Despite the criticism, some supporters praised the couple for sitting. Meanwhile, other internet users spoke out against the outrage, suggesting it was overblown.
You shouldn't care about Beyonce and Jay-Z not standing for the anthem because;
— Devin Masiero (@stronghand42069) February 3, 2020
1. People were seated while watching at home
2. People were seated at the stadium
3. It's a football game, not a military funeral
4. Who gives a fuck?
This is during the Anthem, if you have shared your "outrage" for Jay-Z and Beyonce and didn't notice the 3 other people sitting you legit have deep seeded issues. @roybelly my apologies for my comment, things like this are why #Kaep should have been mentioned pic.twitter.com/Bag2Do4evY
— Travis Bottles (@TravisBottles) February 3, 2020
Every little thing Beyoncé does is magnified and analyzed in the worst possible way, whenever she *merely attends* an event.
— B’Day stan 🐝 (@sean_karter) February 3, 2020
And you wonder why she rejects all interviews and public appearances for nearly a decade. pic.twitter.com/Et55vVpO2J
See what others are saying: (Billboard) (Fox News) (The Hill)
Entertainment
Andrew Tate to Remain in Romanian Detention After Losing Appeal
Published
5 days agoon
February 1, 2023
The controversial influencer, accused of sex trafficking and organized crime, has maintained his innocence.
Appeal Rejected
A Romanian court on Wednesday upheld a judge’s decision to extend influencer Andrew Tate’s arrest another 30 days.
The judge initially tacked the extra time onto his detention on Jan. 20. According to BBC News, the judge cited “the capacity…of the defendants to exercise permanent psychological control over the victims, including by resorting to constant acts of violence”.
Tate appealed that decision alongside his brother and two others, all of whom were arrested as part of an ongoing sex trafficking and organized crime investigation. The court’s Wednesday decision rejected that appeal, meaning Tate and the other accused individuals will remain in custody until at least Feb. 27.
Investigators claim that Tate lured victims under the guise of a romantic relationship, only to place them under surveillance and force them to make pornographic content. Tate has denied the accusations.
“You know I’m innocent,” Tate said to reporters Wednesday morning while walking into the courtroom.
“Ask them for evidence and they will give you none,” he added while leaving court. “Because it doesn’t exist. You’ll find out the truth of this case soon.”
Tate’s Controversial Online Presence
Ever since December his arrest, Tate’s Twitter account has continued to post sometimes cryptic messages about the investigation into him.
“Would your life be fine without you?” he tweeted on Tuesday, one day before his appeal was rejected. “In Romania. They can steal your life without a trial. They do not need evidence, In this system, innocent men return to ruined lives. My life outside is fine. But for most men, 6 months detained and their whole life will crumble.”
Would your life be fine without you?
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) January 31, 2023
In Romania.
They can steal your life without a trial.
They do not need evidence,
In this system, innocent men return to ruined lives.
My life outside is fine.
But for most men, 6 months detained and their whole life will crumble.
Tate is a controversial online figure famous for spreading violent misogyny to his often young male followers. He has been banned by a number of social media platforms for his drastic remarks, including one where he said rape victims should “bear responsibility” for the assault they endured.
Tate and his brother recently added high-profile lawyer Tina Glandian to their defense team. Glandian has previously represented celebrities like Chris Brown, Jussie Smollett, and Kesha.
On Wednesday, she said there is a “lack of evidence against the Tate brothers.”
“So far the system has failed,” she said, via the Associated Press.
See what others are saying: (BBC News) (The Associated Press) (Rolling Stone)
Entertainment
QTCinderalla Vows to Sue Deepfake Website: “Constant Objectification” is “Exhausting”
Published
6 days agoon
January 31, 2023
The streamer said that anyone who chooses to view nonconsensual deepfake porn is “the problem.”
QTCinderella Plans Legal Action
Twitch streamer QTCinderalla said during a Monday stream that she is going to sue the maker of a website that hosts explicit deepfake images of herself and other content creators.
“I promise you, with every part of my fucking soul, I am going to sue you,” QTCinderella, whose real name is Blaire, said through tears.
Blaire went live after fellow streamer Atrioc accidentally revealed on Twitch that he had an open tab to a website that hosts deepfake porn. Graphic images of high-profile female streamers were visible his browser, and the website also includes deepfakes of more creators, including Blaire.
Atrioc apologized for accessing deepfake images on a website that promotes explicit content of his female streaming colleagues. He claimed that he got “morbidly curious” and “clicked something” after falling down an artificial intelligence rabbit hole online.
“It’s gross,” he said. “It’s gross and I’m sorry.”
In the past, Blaire has talked about having to pay services thousands of dollars to remove graphic deepfake content that has been posted without her consent. Despite those efforts, it is an issue she still has to deal with on a regular basis.
“Fuck the fucking Internet,” she said during her Monday stream. “Fuck the constant objectification and exploitation of women, it’s exhausting.”
“Fuck Atrioc for showing it to thousands of people,” she continued. “Fuck the people DMing me pictures of myself from that website.”
The Objectification of Female Streamers
Blaire said that it “should not be a part of [her] job” to constantly fight for this content to be removed from the Internet, nor should it be her job to deal with the onslaught of harassment that comes with the dissemination of these fabricated images.
“If you are able to look at women who are not selling themselves or benefiting off of being seen sexually — they’re not benefiting, they’re not selling it, they’re not platforming it themselves — if you are able to look at that, you are the problem,” she said. “You see women as an object.”
On Twitter, she explained that the repercussions of these deepfakes go far beyond exploitation and violation.
“The amount of body dysmorphia I’ve experienced since seeing those photos has ruined me,” she said.
The amount of body dysmorphia I’ve experienced since seeing those photos has ruined me.
— QTCinderella (@qtcinderella) January 31, 2023
It’s not as simple as “just” being violated. It’s so much more than that.
She was far from the only person to call out how invasive it is to post or consume deepfake content of people who did not consent to being depicted in a sexual manner.
“Stop sexualizing people without their consent,” Pokimane, who is also among the female streamers featured on the site, said. “That’s it, that’s the tweet.”
stop sexualizing people without their consent.
— pokimane (@pokimanelol) January 31, 2023
that’s it, that’s the tweet.
“No one should have themselves be put on a deepfake porn website w/o their consent and it’s fucking disgusting at the men who are making light of this shit. fucking despicable,” another person wrote.
all love for QT, maya, pokimane, and every single female streamer on that disgusting website.
— SomeChillThoughts (@SomeDadThoughts) January 30, 2023
no one should have themselves be put on a deepfake porn website w/o their consent and it's fucking disgusting at the men who are making light of this shit.
fucking despicable
See what others are saying: (Dexerto) (Metro) (The Gamer)
Entertainment
Britney Spears Asks For Privacy After Fans Called Cops to Conduct a Wellness Check on Her
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 26, 2023
Fans said they were concerned after the singer deleted her Instagram account.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was updated to include a statement from Britney Spears
Fans Call 911
Britney Spears said her fans “went a little too far” after some called the police to conduct a wellness check on her.
The fans, many fueled by online conspiracy theories, were concerned about Spears because she deleted her Instagram account. While this is something the singer has done multiple times in the past, her fans thought she had left secret signals in her last post suggesting she needed help.
Some even posted videos of them calling emergency services on TikTok, a platform that is full of conspiracy videos about Spears.
“I love and adore my fans but this time things went a little too far and my privacy was invaded,” Spears wrote in a statement on Thursday, citing “prank phone calls” that were made to police.
— Britney Spears 🌹🚀 (@britneyspears) January 26, 2023
According to Spears, officers did not enter her home because once they got to her gate, they “quickly realized there was no issue and left immediately.”
“This felt like I was being gaslit and bullied once the incident made it to the news and being portrayed once again in a poor and unfair light by the media,” Spears continued. “During this time in my life, I truly hope the public and my fans who I care so much about can respect my privacy moving forward.”
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Ventura County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Page Six that the department “did get calls into our dispatch” but added there was no reason to believe that Spears was “in any kind of harm or any kind of danger.”
That spokesperson declined to say if officials contacted Spears or conducted a wellness check, citing privacy and public trust issues.
The Prominence of Britney Spears Conspiracies
Just over a year has passed since Spears was freed from a highly restrictive conservatorship that controlled her life and finances for 13 years. Throughout the conservatorship, fans tried to use the pop icon’s social media to pick up clues that she was secretly struggling. She did not publicly speak about the conservatorship until the summer of 2021.
Now that she has her freedom, fans are still reading heavily into her posts. Some believe there are hidden messages in her captions and in the gestures she does while dancing. Others think she is dead, missing, or hiding and that a body double is being used in her posts. Some are so concerned that they are coordinating a mass effort to pressure the Los Angeles Times into investigating Spears’ whereabouts and safety.
In the last several years, many have reflected on Spears’ early days in the spotlight and the cruel ways she was harassed and targeted by paparazzi, news outlets, and culture at large. Often the punchline to a joke throughout the 2000s, many now sympathize with Spears, who was forced to endure heavy public scrutiny at a young age. Documentaries like “Framing Britney Spears” prompted many to see Spears as a victim of abusive media tactics, not the “crazy” woman tabloids painted her to be.
Many are now concerned that fans are only going to subject Spears to a new onslaught of harassment by calling the police to her house. Even if the conspiracy theories are technically well-intentioned and often come from a place of concern, some believe they will jumpstart a media frenzy that could harm Spears’ mental well-being.
See what others are saying: (Page Six) (Jezebel) (TMZ)

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