American Idol Season 16 finalist Gabby Barrett is drawing backlash for her decision to perform in Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show during Super Bowl Sunday. The show, headlined by Kid Rock, seeks to compete with Bad Bunny’s official halftime performance.
On Sunday, February 8, Bad Bunny will take the stage as the official performer for the Super Bowl Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Meanwhile, conservative organization Turning Point USA (co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk) will be hosting its own halftime show.
Turning Point’s “All-American Halftime Show” will feature performances by Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and American Idol alum Gabby Barrett. Fans expressed their disappointment in Barrett for choosing to align herself with the organization.
“Gabby Barrett performing at the T*urning Point halftime show… proving yet again how much of a loser she still is since she lost #AmericanIdol,” wrote a user on X (formerly Twitter).
Parade reports that some fans also expressed their disappointment in the comments of Turning Point’s Instagram announcement, with one writing, “Noooooooo gabby … I loved you.” Another reportedly commented, “Really disappointed with Gabby being there.”
SEE ALSO: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COUNTRY STAR GABBY BARRETT
Gabby Barrett’s participation in a conservative event such as Turning Point’s halftime show may not come as a surprise to some fans. In 2018, after coming in third place on American Idol, she performed at the White House Christmas Tree Lighting during Donald Trump’s first term.
“Honored that I was invited to sing for the President last night at the White House,” Barrett wrote on Instagram at the time the event was filmed. The 25-year-old singer has also reportedly liked pro-Trump social media posts in the past.
What do you think about Barrett’s decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show? Let us know in the comments below.
