Wait, we thought Prince’s image WOULDN’T be used at the 2018 Super Bowl?
Soooooo, we don’t know what went down in the development of Justin Timberlake’s 2018 Super Bowl halftime performance, but we have some questions. There were rumors that the show was going to feature a hologram version of Prince. While on the surface that sounds like a cool idea — paying homage to a beloved musician who is no longer with us — fans found an interview of Prince in a 1998 in which he was asked about holograms of deceased artists used for shows, and apparently Prince was not into it.
“That’s the most demonic thing imaginable. Everything is as it is, and it should be. If I was meant to jam with Duke Ellington, we would have lived in the same age. That whole virtual reality thing … it really is demonic. And I am not a demon. Also, what they did with that Beatles song [‘Free As a Bird’], manipulating John Lennon’s voice to have him singing from across the grave … that’ll never happen to me. To prevent that kind of thing from happening is another reason why I want artistic control.”
So… yeah. Prince had some pretty strong feelings about this. And whether or not you, personally, are for against such displays, one thing is very clear.
Prince considered the use of hologram to perform with a deceased artist to be “demonic.” So that’s a pretty compelling argument against using a hologram of Prince.
As such, we were pretty much assured this wouldn’t occur by one of Prince’s friends:
Family, I spoke w/Justin 2nite and he shared heartfelt words of respect for Prince & the Purple fans. I look 4wrd 2 seeing what I’m sure is going 2 be a spectacular halftime show. There is no hologram. 🙏🏽💋 pic.twitter.com/mhVXBfBa1B
— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) February 4, 2018
So what happened? To be honest, we’re not sure. We don’t know if Justin Timberlake didn’t consider the projection of Prince he used at the Super Bowl to count as a “hologram,” but if that’s the case…we’re still not sure about it.
And people are NOT super happy with the singer’s use of Prince’s image.
Prince right now.#SuperBowl #HalftimeShow pic.twitter.com/SEyCod2fw2
— Jenny Yang (@jennyyangtv) February 5, 2018
#SuperBowl I'm pretty sure #Prince would never have approved his image being projected onto a bed sheet.
— Opie Radio podcast (@OpieRadio) February 5, 2018
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We’re sure that everybody had the best of intentions, but since it seems like the goal was to honor a beloved and talented artist, it would’ve been better to listen to his wishes.