Critical response frontman
Chris Martin performing "
Paradise" performing "
Uptown Funk" The performance received generally mixed reviews from critics, who complimented Beyoncé and Mars' part of the performance but were critical of Coldplay.
Jon Caramanica of
The New York Times stated that Coldplay "acted more as a stagehand than an actual performer" while Beyoncé's section of the performance was "the night's true event". Caramanica also noted that Beyoncé and Mars "outsang" Martin during the closing part of the performance. Andrew Barker of
Variety similarly noted that "Coldplay seemed resigned to politely allowing themselves to be played right off their own stage" by the "far flashier" Mars and Beyoncé. In a review for
Fox Sports, Chris Chase panned Coldplay's performance, calling it "inexplicable, indecipherable, and unnecessary" and a "musical snooze". Chase complimented Beyoncé's and Mars' appearances but described the performance as "boring". Alex Needham of
The Guardian gave the performance four stars, saying that "Queen Bey at the height of her powers effortlessly overwhelmed Coldplay's widescreen anthems in a show that seemed lightweight until she showed up". Robert Bianco of
USA Today stated that Martin "seemed overwhelmed" by the size of the event, and that despite being a "personable and energetic performer", an "awful lot" of Martin's energy "went into jumping". Bianco praised Beyoncé's appearance and stated that she "stole the show". Wendy Geller of
Yahoo! also complimented Beyoncé's and Mars' appearances, but criticized the montage of previous halftime performances, describing it as "confusing rather than touching" and stating that the performance was "definitely a cold play". The show received two nominations at the
Primetime Emmy Awards:
Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Special and
Outstanding Variety Special (Live).
Industry peers Several public figures in the entertainment industry commented positively on the show through
social media, including
Andy Cohen,
Maksim Chmerkovskiy,
Ellen DeGeneres,
Victoria Justice,
Hoda Kotb,
Sarah Michelle Gellar,
Donnie Wahlberg and
Reese Witherspoon.
Elizabeth Banks,
Khloe Kardashian and
Demi Lovato particularly praised Beyoncé and Mars,
Taylor Swift praised the "
Fix You" montage with the previous halftime performances and mentioned feeling like she had dreamed the performance. Conversely,
Piers Morgan panned both the show and its subsequent game. The controversy caused a "#BoycottBeyonce" hashtag on Twitter and protesters announced plans for an "anti-Beyoncé" rally outside the NFL's headquarters in New York City, but no one showed up.
CNN's Sally Kohn commented that "too many police continue to show themselves to be far more interested in reactionary defensiveness and preserving the abusive status quo". Professor and activist
Melina Abdullah praised Beyoncé and other artists who "are willing to raise social consciousness and use their artistry to advance social justice". In addressing her own controversy, Beyoncé explained, "I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let's be clear: I am against
police brutality and
injustice". Coldplay were accused by
conservatives of promoting a
gay agenda at the end of the show, when rainbow-coloured placards were flipped to form the phrase "Believe in love".
Rankings == Commercial reception ==