Maroon 5’s frontman Adam Levine, who performed during the halftime show at SuperBowl 2019 in Atlanta took social media by storm when he removed his shirt while playing the guitar. However, this stunt gathered criticism as people questioned Levine’s revealing performance.
In addition to that, the social media lit up almost instantly with comparisons to the 2004’s halftime show, when headliner Janet Jackson performing with Justin Timberlake experienced a wardrobe malfunction watched by 143 million viewers, with some questioning why it was okay for Levine to perform shirtless while Jackson’s malfunction ignited a cultural firestorm.
“So Adam Levine can perform shirtless but Janet Jackson can’t?” questioned one user on Twitter. “This is so very wrong haha.”
So Adam Levine can perform shirtless but Janet Jackson can’t? This is so very wrong haha. #PepsiHalftime
— A Texas Man (@atari2600yeah) February 4, 2019
Similarly, another questioned why Janet had to issue an apology but it is okay for Adam to perform shirtless.
so… @adamlevine can strut around shirtless but my girl janet has to issue an appology??? #SuperBowlLIII @JanetJackson
— oops I didn’t again… (@Jaredlikescoffe) February 4, 2019
Another said, “Janet Jackson seeing Adam Levine shirtless and I know she somewhere furious right now.”
Janet Jackson seeing Adam Levine shirtless and I know she somewhere furious right now
— Tunde B (@callmereefer) February 4, 2019
Another user said, “Janet Jackson can’t show her nip (on accident) performing at the super bowl but Adam Levine can literally rip his shirt off. Hm.”
Janet Jackson can’t show her nip (on accident) preforming at the super bowl but Adam Levine can literally rip his shirt off. Hm.
— Rea?? (@reagancaseyyyy) February 4, 2019
Janet Jackson nipple shows and people lose their mind. Adam Levine goes shirtless and it’s seemingly fine. Double standard much? Hypocritical? #SuperBowl2019
— Marci E Patterson (@jmkk97) February 4, 2019
Other users compared Levine’s shirt to cushion covers, curtains:
A Twitter user said, “Although auto-tune failed Adam Levine terribly, Target Home Collection really came through with his wardrobe.”
Although auto tune failed Adam Levine terribly, Target Home Collection really came through with his wardrobe. pic.twitter.com/JzMrJYRGSl
— Jessie (@CourtJesster83) February 4, 2019
One questioned how Adam got hold of her curtains.
Why is Adam Levine wearing my curtains? pic.twitter.com/ocz2jiDjyJ
— Dillon Brelsford (@dpbrelsford) February 4, 2019
Travis Scott and Big Boi also performed during the halftime show, along with local musicians. Maroon 5 played throwbacks from their early albums, such as “Harder to Breathe” and “This Love,” but it was during their performance of “Moves Like Jagger” that Levine removed his shirt.
This was Maroon 5’s first-ever Super Bowl performance. Last year’s featured Timberlake, while 2017 was Lady Gaga‘s time to shine. Other big names that have taken the stage in recent years include Beyoncé, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz.
