In a bold public statement, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has once again stirred the pot in the music world, this time by critiquing Beyoncé’s much-anticipated halftime performance at the Christmas Day NFL matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. Following the show, Portnoy took to social media platform X to express his disappointment, stating, “Beyoncé has been LOST since Destiny’s Child.” His remark referenced the iconic girl group that included Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams before they disbanded in 2006.
Portnoy’s comments came right after Beyoncé finished her glamorous performance at NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston. Dressed in a dazzling white bodysuit adorned with crystals, completing the look with chaps and a cowboy hat, the superstar rode into the stadium on horseback, captivating the audience as she launched into a set that showcased tracks from her recent country album, “Cowboy Carter,” which debuted in March. Among the songs she performed were “16 Carriages,” “Ya Ya,” and a rendition of the Beatles classic “Blackbird.”
Even with guest appearances from popular artists like Post Malone and Shaboozey, Portnoy didn’t hold back his critique. This isn’t the first time he’s expressed skepticism about Beyoncé’s artistry; he drew attention last year when he boldly claimed on X that Rihanna surpassed Beyoncé after the latter headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, stating, “Rihanna > Beyoncé. Not particularly close.”
Portnoy’s critique comes amid ongoing comparisons and rivalries between music’s biggest stars, particularly Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who is closely associated with Portnoy as a superfans. Although there’s frequent speculation about competition between these two A-list artists, a recent report indicated that Swift congratulated Beyoncé, viewing her success as a win for female artists.
With Kanye West infamously igniting tension between the two during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, the discourse surrounding their careers continues to be a hot topic. Just like his previous jab at Beyoncé, Portnoy’s latest remarks have sparked conversations about both artists’ legacies and the ever-evolving music industry landscape.
