Lindsey Stirling, a former America’s Got Talent contestant, found herself at the center of controversy after NBC drastically shortened her Thanksgiving halftime performance.
Stirling, known for her unique blend of violin, dance, and energetic stage presence, performed during the Green Bay Packers-Miami Dolphins game. However, fans tuning in to watch her six-minute show were shocked when NBC only aired about 10 seconds of her act before cutting to a commercial.
Stirling took to social media to address her supporters, expressing her disappointment over the limited airtime but gratitude for their encouragement. “I’m sorry to all my fans who stayed up to watch,” she wrote on Instagram. “We performed our hearts out in the freezing cold for six minutes straight.”
She also shared a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), where she posted a video of her experience performing at the game. “Thank you so much to the @packers for having us and for treating us like queens!” she wrote.
Stirling described the performance as an unforgettable milestone, marking her first stadium show. She added, “Sorry to all my fans who tuned in to watch and didn’t get to see it. I appreciate all the posts of support.”
Thank you so much to the @packers for having us and for treating us like queens! Thank you to all the Green Bay fans for being so enthusiastic during our performance. It was a night I’ll never forget- my first stadium performance.
— Lindsey Stirling (@LindseyStirling) November 29, 2024
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.Sorry to all my fans who tuned in to watch and… pic.twitter.com/EXf5WfAkd4
Fans were equally upset and voiced their frustration online. One fan wrote on X, “@SNFonNBC Shame on you for not showing Lindsey Stirling’s performance during halftime! That was the only reason I watched this evening! So disappointing!” Another demanded the full video of the performance, tweeting, “@NFL you robbed @LindseyStirling of sharing her FIRST halftime show with the rest of us!! PLEASE put a full video of her amazing performance up for us to watch ASAP.”
Stirling became a household name after appearing on Season 5 of America’s Got Talent in 2010, where she reached the quarterfinals. She has since built a successful career blending violin with elements of hip-hop, pop, and classical music. Known for her dynamic performances, Stirling has amassed a devoted fan base.
Although NBC hasn’t commented on why Stirling’s performance was cut, the backlash highlights fans’ eagerness to support the artist and their disappointment at missing a rare opportunity to see her perform live. Stirling’s gratitude toward her fans, however, shone through in her social media posts, showing her ability to stay positive even in challenging situations.
