The verdict is in for Maroon 5's halftime show ... and it's not pretty.
While millions of viewers tuned into the Super Bowl to watch the New England Patriots face off against the Los Angeles Rams, one thing that's sure to have people talking all week is Maroon 5's halftime performance.
There has been a ton of controversy surrounding this year's gig, in light of the NFL's treatment of Colin Kaepernick and other players who knelt during the national anthem as a form of protest against racism and police brutality. Rihanna reportedly turned down doing the halftime show herself as a sign of solidarity with Kaepernick, while Cardi B said she wouldn't perform it either unless the player was rehired.
Well, she wasn't lying, as the rapper didn't join the band for their duet "Girls Like You." The guys also didn't reference any of the controversy. Here's what went down:
The rockers kicked off their set with "Harder to Breathe," fire erupting behind them, before they launched into "This Love." The band did their set atop a giant "M" in the middle of the stadium, as fans surrounded the stage.
SpongeBob Squarepants popped up briefly, after a petition from fans urged the NFL to pay tribute to the show's late creator, Stephen Hillenburg, during halftime. Then an asteroid crashed to the stage, with Travis Scott popping up to perform "Sicko Mode."
That was followed up by "Girls Like You," with no Cardi B cameo, before "She Will Be Loved." Big Boi popped up to do Outkast's "The Way You Move," before the stage went back to Adam Levine and Co. for "Sugar" and "Moves Like Jagger," where Adam finally took off his shirt. No, Christina Aguilera did not show up too.
Most of the Twitter reactions lamented the lack of a full SpongeBob tribute, and included a ton of viewers ticked Levine could get away with taking off his shirt while Janet Jackson's was crucified for Nipplegate. For what it's worth, the official SpongeBob account seemed happy.
Here's what else Hollywood is saying about the performance in general (we'll update as more come in):
Wardrobe malfunction in the midst of the worst halftime show during the lousiest #StuporBowl in history pic.twitter.com/XjB361MHse
@SandraBernhard
Why is it okay to see Adam Levine'a boobs and not Janet Jackson's?
@aishatyler
Asking for a friend.
Jumping jellyfish! #SpongeBob in the halftime show?! We're honored Goofy Goobers 💛 Thanks to all the fans and @trvisxx! #SBLIII pic.twitter.com/dxTO17KfwG
@SpongeBob
If gentrification were a Super Bowl halftime show ...
@jemelehill
He's lip syncing —
@StephenAmell
All good, but disappointing in person.
Umm...I guess it got a little better when his shirt came off?#SuperBowl #HalftimeShow @pepsi
@LaurenHolly
Super Bowl halftime nipple rules feel inconsistent
@katienolan
Hey Superbowl people: Many of us actually ONLY tune in to see the halftime show. So going with Beyoncé, Janet and Lady Gaga increased your audiences, and by a lot. This year? Sorry. Straightforward Adam Levine wasn't going to do it, even with two nipples showing.
@GeorgeTakei
I have nothing against Adam Levine whatsoever and actually am a huge fan but it's messed up that society seems it acceptable for him to be shirtless during the halftime show and Janet Jackson was chastised because her breast was accidentally exposed at the same event.
@yoabbaabba
Hi there while you're enjoying this mediocre Maroon 5 halftime please remember a football legend was blacklisted from this entire sport for merely putting his knee on the ground in protest of black people being murdered. Enjoy your pop music!
@ambertamblyn
What everyone else had to say:
YALL as soon as I saw Adam Levine's shirt I said it looked like some 70s home decor, then facebook backed me up pic.twitter.com/nZp99NfdT4
@morganjordal
Adam Levine trying to fit in with Travis Scott pic.twitter.com/CKRhHHqzTE
@frootyspice2
Adam Levine dancing during Travis Scott's part of the halftime show pic.twitter.com/Dqa26SwOW1
@Doooolia
They invited Adam Levine to the barbecue and it's not going as planned. He brought the potato salad with raisins in it.
@MartysaurusRex
Tell me this isn't Adam Levine dancing next to Travis Scott for the halftime show pic.twitter.com/ROh5BEAc7q
@mmyeash
This is the Fyre Festival of halftime shows
@kavithadavidson
friendly reminder that janet jackson got blacklisted for doing what adam levine just did
@koreykuhl
“We feel much better now!” - The Black Eyed Peas
@theyearofelan
Justin Timberlake and Maroon 5 battling for worst halftime show ever pic.twitter.com/23MsjdFirZ
@electriccchair
Raise your hand if you've ever been personally victimized by Maroon 5 pic.twitter.com/8fbETLrrat
@santanophia
Super Bowl halftime nipple rules feel inconsistent
@katienolan
Wonder if this nipple will ruin Adam's career like it did Janet's #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/DuWWtDhtIN
@mashable
adam levine took off his shirt like an uncle at thanksgiving when kid rock comes on
@elijahdaniel
Adam Levine trying to dance next to Travis Scott #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/tQ6Rr8G0Om
@smyajs
Adam Levine at the #SuperBowl halftime show is every white person at a wedding with at least 7 nonwhite people pic.twitter.com/FtNcqLIOBq
@MelsLien
Is anyone happier than Ben Affleck right now?
@SRuhle
He no longer has the worst famous guy tattoos of all time.
Thanks Adam Levine. #SuperBowl
Twitter locals: MAROON 5 KILLED IT😍#halftimeshow
@RealEdwinPos
Me: pic.twitter.com/BCgLGX3nWd
Adam Levine knew the gays were gonna drag that halftime performance so he said "lemme take my shirt off to distract them"
@feistyfrank
Maroon 5
@SethWEmerson
Pats 3
Rams 0
We all lose
Maroon 5's music reminds that there was s bar in my college village that sold a pitcher of beer for $3 then you could refill it for a penny an unlimited amount of times for the rest of the night. It was Monday night.
@iSmashFizzle
My #PepsiHalftime journey:
@EugeneLeeYang
- eh Maroon 5
- HOLY SHIT SWEET VICTORY
- HOW DARE YOU TEASE SWEET VICTORY
- I guess CGI fireball Travis Scott will do
- more of gospel lady please
- Adam Levine: Tank Top Mode
- YASSS DRONE LANTERNS!
- wants Outkast back
- HELLO SHIRTLESS
...
- Janet.
Maroon V let me down #unsweetvictory #Maroon5 #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/13pJPHIlsV
@Jollylimy13
Lady Gaga and Katy Perry both pulled off literal costume changes DURING the halftime sho lw along with other top notch stunts and gags. Yet Adam Levine thought he was doing something when he.... took his tank top off? #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/QiZx642jYE
@blankscreams
Adam Levine is the left shark of this year's #HalftimeShow pic.twitter.com/gkfG8eem09
@AthletesPlylst
Marie Kondo was last seen throwing away that halftime show.
@goldengateblond
Lady Gaga fell from the sky but I guess just performing on a stage w no choreography is fine.
@AkilahObviously