BB.‘It’s Time’: Carrie Underwood Criticizes NFL for Over Two Decades Without Country Music at the Super Bowl
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Country superstar Carrie Underwood has spoken out about the Super Bowl halftime show’s long-standing neglect of country music, expressing disappointment following the announcement that Puerto Rican Latin superstar Bad Bunny will headline the upcoming performance.
Underwood pointedly noted that it has been 22 years since a country artist last took the Super Bowl stage—referring to Shania Twain’s iconic performance at Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. “The Super Bowl is supposed to reflect America’s culture in all its diversity,” she said. “But country music has been completely shut out. The last time we saw a country singer was Shania Twain back in 2003 at Super Bowl XXXVII. That’s 22 years ago. Since then, nothing.”
While recognizing Bad Bunny’s immense global success and talent, Underwood suggested the choice highlights a broader imbalance in representation. “He’s talented and has a huge following, no doubt. But he’s never even sung in English. Meanwhile, country artists fill stadiums across America every year. To leave us out of one of the biggest stages in the world feels wrong.”
The singer, known for hits like “Before He Cheats,” has a strong history with football events, having performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl and the theme for Sunday Night Football. She emphasized that country music fans make up one of the largest audiences in the United States and deserve to see their genre showcased on football’s grandest night.
“If the Super Bowl is about unity and tradition, then country music deserves its place back on that stage,” Underwood added firmly.
Her comments add to a growing conversation about cultural representation in one of America’s most-watched annual events and raise questions about how the Super Bowl halftime show can better reflect the diverse musical tastes of its vast audience.
