Katy Perry Denies Paying to Play Super Bowl Halftime

When Katy Perry officially announced she had been chosen for the Super Bowl Halftime show, everyone began asking just how much the pop star had paid for the gig due to the National Football League’s recent request to try and extort money from performers in a “pay-to-play” scheme.

According to the pop star, who beat out acts like Coldplay and close friend Rihanna for the gig, she didn’t pay a single cent.

At the beginning of the talks, Perry reportedly made it clear that she would not pay to play at “football’s biggest night” saying at the time, “I’m not the kind of girl who would pay to play the Super Bowl.”

In a new interview, it appears that the “Teenage Dream” singer stuck to her guns, claiming that she did not give in to the NFL’s requests.

“I put my foot down very early in the courtship,” explained Perry to the Associated Press.

“I said, ‘Look guys, here’s where I draw a line in the sand.’ I want to be invited on my own merits and not with some fine print. I don’t even care if my contract leaks. I have nothing to hide, basically.”

Perry’s performance will reportedly run 12 minutes long and consists of “two worlds.” Whatever that means.

She already revealed that Lenny Kravitz will be one of her special guests for the performance which might, in a way describe, the whole two world performance idea. Word has also started to spread that Perry would be bringing another special guest for the performance.

At the time, there’s no official confirmation, but some are speculating Rihanna is the other guest.

When asked about her performance, Perry said: “I’m all about female empowerment and uplifting people’s spirit, and people finding their own voice with songs like ‘Roar’ and ‘Firework,’ so maybe there is no better person [for the show]. Hopefully, I can bring that incredible strength and empowerment to people throughout the performance.”

Considering she was the most likely from the initial list to be chosen for the gig, we have a feeling she’ll be able to accomplish just that, even if we are a little bias here.

Super Bowl XLIX will take place on Feb. 1 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in, where else, Phoenix, AZ.

NFL to Charge Artists to Play Halftime Show

We all know that the National Football League does not pay artists to perform at the famous Super Bowl’s Halftime Show because they believe that the exposure that the artists get during “football’s biggest night,” is worth the money the artists are out.

Today, word has gotten out that the NFL will keep up this tradition, but now, they have added something else to the mix; artists will have to pay in order to perform during the high-rated halftime show.

“In a twist this year, the league has asked artists under consideration for the high-profile gig to pay to play,” reports the Wall Street Journal. As if the subject of having to pay to play a show wasn’t already a big issue in the music world for up and coming artists and venues.

Not only did the WSJ report this, but they also claim the league have also revealed the top three contenders for the high-profiled show. Those that are apparently being considered are Rihanna, Coldplay, and Katy Perry. Guess that petition we signed a while ago to get “Weird Al” Yankovich to perform was thrown to the side. Darn.

Though there has been no official confirmation, some NFL employees have allegedly begun to approach the three acts to see if “they would be willing to contribute a portion of their post-Super Bowl tour income to the league, or if they would make some other type of financial contribution in exchange for the halftime gig.”

As it was predicted, the WSJ have claimed that the response to their offer has been less than lackluster. Considering what the NFL wants in return for the gig, they would be lucky to get the guy who plays spoons on the corner to come in and perform for the halftime show. Is it us, or does this somewhat resemble that pesky epidemic of payola which we are sure is still going on. If you aren’t sure what exactly payola is, don’t feel bad, head on over here and get a quick lesson.