The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting annual events. Celebrations such as award shows and sporting events have had to reinvent how they are presented — with Super Bowl LV being no exception.
A recent plea by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on “Good Morning America” implored that everyone “lay low” for this weekend’s football festivities. However, rapper Tory Lanez seemingly isn’t worried about the deadly virus as he recently hosted a Super Bowl party in Tampa, Florida.
Hundreds of people joined the “Jerry Sprunger” rapper as he performed several of his hit songs at WTR Pool & Grill on Thursday, Feb. 4. Rules for the establishment required that “all customers must wear a facemask upon entry” and that social distancing be enforced. Still, the crowd was seen without any facial coverings singing along to Tory’s “Broke In a Minute.” Tory was also spotted on stage performing without a mask.
The backlash ensued almost immediately. Critics took to their social media platforms, where they slammed the 28-year-old over what they described as a super spreader event. “Nah they having full blown concerts here,” one Twitter user wrote. They added, “I just saw a video of Tory lanez crowdsurfing at a performance… not a mask in sight.”
Another wrote, “a (former) friend on snap posted himself at a maskless Tory Lanez concert in Tampa I’m gonna throw up.”
A third user commented, “How tf that many idiots showing up to a Tory lanez super bowl party seriously did we cancel that bitch after he shot @theestallion.”
Another person called for online users to come together and get the event shut down. “Ok Tory the Leprechaun Lanez is hosting 2 parties this Friday and Saturday in Tampa. Now Meg stans Gen z’ers, you girls know how to get them shut down, RIGHT? 😉” they wrote. “Go forth and stand strong. 💪🏻”
Super Bowl LV took place on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. EST between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, with the Buccaneers walking away as champions. Singer-songwriter The Weeknd performed during the halftime show.
Tory has not responded to the backlash. Check out the clip from the event below.
