Super Bowl: M.I.A. middle finger upstages Madonna’s TV-safe setlist

February 5, 2012 by Bill Palmer

by Bill Palmer

Madonna’s otherwise controversy-free and network-television-safe halftime performance at today’s Super Bowl was upstaged by a momentary gesture from one of her guest performers, as M.I.A. gave the middle finger to the camera in a brief moment which wasn’t caught by all viewers. Many observers had been expecting Madonna to stage something controversial along the lines of Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” several years ago, but the Material Girl instead served up a pageant-like medley with a setlist consisting of some of her greatest hits amid a slew of guest stars. LMFAO and Cee-Lo Green jumped onstage at various points in the halftime set. But it was during the performance of her new single Give Me All Your Luvin’ where the controversy took place…

Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., who both lend vocals to the recorded version of the single, took the stage with Madonna for the live Super Bowl rendition of the song. During the performance M.I.A. flipped the bird while the camera was focused on her. It’s not immediately clear whether the gesture was planned or spontaneous. But while Madonna chose to keep her performance censor-approved ahead of her new album MDNA due out March 26th, M.I.A. opted to go the other route ahead of her upcoming album. MIA’s new single Bad Girls has just been released ahead of her new album. Here’s more on Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime performance.}