NBC/Yahoo
A lot of folks said Janelle Monae was way too sexy for family, prime time television after she performed her new cut “Make Me Feel” on NBC’S “The Voice” on Monday (May 1).
Others, however, came to her defense and called those same people hypocritical since Monae hasn’t been the first to display sexuality on the show.
Much of the backlash surrounding the singer’s performance had to do with what she wore, black and pink leotard bottoms with a loose fitting white jacket — her backup dancers sported the same. People were bothered by Monae’s dance moves as well when she gyrated on the floor during the song.
“Isn’t this supposed to be a family show? one viewer asked. “That performance by Janelle Monae was anything but. Can’t we have a performance without thrusting sex in our faces. Can’t we at least try? Younger kids watch this show for goodness sakes. Disappointing for sure. Do better.”
“The dancers with bare rears were doing a routine you’d see in a strip bar,” another person tweeted. “I wish they’d stay a bit more family friendly.”
It’s safe to assume that NBC wants “The Voice” to be a family show considering its 8:00 p.m. time slot, but when others wore sexy outfits and were a little risqué it didn’t cause much of a wave.
For example, in 2012 Christina Aguilera performed in a black bustier with shorts that could be classified as bikini bottoms or underwear. Aguilera’s dancers wore the same thing, just like Monae’s dancers matched her outfit.
In that same performance, Aguilera came out with two bare chested men who played the roles of male strippers, but it wasn’t called inappropriate and she wasn’t criticized at all. And that could be the reason why a lot of people stuck up for Monae.
https://youtu.be/WsP6PepokDs
“Yeah, because that show has never had it’s female dancers wear sexy outfits, right? Stop the hypocrisy,” one person tweeted.
“Wow, do you clutch your pearls and catch the vapors every time your kids go to the pool/beach?” another person wrote. “There was way less skin shown during that performance than someone wearing a swimsuit.”
Monae hasn’t responded to the backlash yet, but you can see some of her performance and a few other comments below.
@NBCTheVoice Isn’t this supposed to be a family show? That performance by Janelle Monae was anything but. Can’t we have a performance without thrusting sex in our faces. Can’t we at least try? Younger kids watch this show for goodness sakes. Disappointing for sure. Do better!
— Ashley Wormington (@WoashleyWo) May 2, 2018
Guess @NBCTheVoice is no longer a family show. The performers/dancers should dress according to their audience.
— Amy Semonco (@asemonco) May 2, 2018
There is nothing wrong with how they were dressed. Quit being judgemental.
— Gerald Calhoun (@jerryc48134) May 2, 2018
4U being stupid. Maybe s**t’s your thang, but this s family show. Thong bare butts, front stretch 2 boobs. I had 2 rush kids from the room.
— SMStevens (@SMStevens10) May 2, 2018
Do you really watch tv around this time? 8pm on a weekday, what time and generation do you think this is? 8pm is definitely not a viewing time for kids. When the hell does kids go to bed now? No wonder they say the U.S. is stressed & too tired. SMH
— Dizzle (@ZwolleyStackz) May 2, 2018
have you tried taking your kids to a library and not sticking them in front of a television? that performance was fantastic btw – good luck sheltering your kids over the next however many years tho
— Mark V Parker (@State0fTheUniom) May 2, 2018