On February 3, 2013, televisions across America were tuned into arguably the biggest sporting event of the year: the Beyoncé Bowl. The top two NFL teams played a game of football, but the Internet was not abuzz with the rough and tumble ball game, but rather the 12-minute half time show that garnered Beyoncé more than another 15 minutes of fame.
While the celebrity was not in question before her star-studded half time performance, Beyoncé certainly held headlines captive for days after her performance, which is an improvement from her headlines only weeks before when it was revealed that she did not sing live at the Presidential Inauguration to the disdain of many.
It seems Beyoncé has once again made headlines in a political context, with many lawmakers releasing harsh statements today condemning Beyoncé and hip hop mogul husband, Jay-Z, for vacationing in Cuba this week.
It seems the political volatility between the United States and Cuba is of no relevance to Beyoncé and family, as the poverty and political suppression of the Cuban people was far from mind as America’s musical darling took her tropical vacation.
Not to underplay the insensitivity of this vacation choice, but who really cares? It is almost unbelievable that elected members of the United States government are using time and resources releasing statements about Beyoncé’s vacation choice.
Was it a less-than stellar choice? Absolutely. Was it headline worthy? Absolutely not.
On a day when the United States doesn’t have troops in the Middle East, a budget crisis constantly looming, broken Congressional leadership or human rights on trial in the Supreme Court to name a few, maybe tabloid stories could be remotely of salience to elected officials.
But not today; too much needs done in Washington for elected officials to be concerned with a pop-darling’s vacation choice.
Beyoncé making headlines this week for going to Cuba is about as geopolitically relevant as Dennis Rodman’s diplomacy in North Korea. And clearly, we can see how impactful that was.
Politicians need no help in lowering the public’s opinion of them. Just because Beyoncé scored big at the Superbowl, doesn’t mean Congress can have a repeat performance.