'Evil imagery and devil worship': Enraged viewers want FCC action against CBS over Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ ‘Unholy’ performance at Grammys
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sam Smith and Kim Petras' controversial performance at the 65th edition of Grammy Awards has reportedly sparked a vicious backlash from outraged viewers, with many filing complaints with CBS and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The duo performed their chartbuster song 'Unholy' at the event soon after winning the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
The provocative performance saw the two singers and their backup dancers dressed in costumes resembling the blood-red devil. For the performance, the ‘Too Good at Goodbyes’ hit-maker, who uses they/them pronouns, adorned a red leather costume, paired with a hat that featured horns protruding from it. The 30-year-old Petras also matched Smith’s vibes and donned a little red dress and satanic headgear. Though she was seen singing from a cage, the singer performed with whips, chains, and devil horns. The stage design complemented the motif as huge flames were shot into the air during the segment.
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'It was wrought with evil imagery'
As a result, a number of viewers filed complaints against CBS and the FCC, with TMZ reporting that most of the outraged viewers claim the performance doubled as satanic worship. The outlet has obtained 18 complaints filed with the FCC. One complaint slammed the performance as “anti-Christian,” saying its theme has the potential to “increase violence against Christians.”
“It was wrought with evil imagery, and depicted DEVIL WORSHIPING ACOLYTES writhing around on the floor virtually naked, and in CAGES,” another complaint read. “It was broadcast on live television, and I cannot believe that CBS allowed it.” The third critic took their displeasure to the extreme, writing, “I will be canceling my television service due to this.”
Sam Smith (@samsmith) and Kim Petras (@kimpetras) treated the #GRAMMYs to a devilishly-good 'Unholy' performance https://t.co/bLFvncfCmF pic.twitter.com/CDPAuIQfU0
— UPROXX (@UPROXX) February 6, 2023
Previously, the performance garnered backlash from several outraged politicians, including Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who found it “evil” and “demonic.” “This…is…evil,” Texas Senator Ted Cruz tweeted while Marjorie Taylor Greene said, "The Grammys featured Sam Smith's demonic performance and was sponsored by Pfizer. And the Satanic Church now has an abortion clinic in NM that requires its patients to perform a satanic ritual before its services. American Christians need to get to work."
Kim Petras defends the performance
Following the controversies, Pretas defended her and Smith’s performance, saying the stage was inspired by not feeling accepted by religion. “I think a lot of people, honestly, have kind of labeled what I stand for and what Sam stands for as religiously not cool, and I personally grew up wondering about religion and wanting to be a part of it but slowly realizing it didn’t want me to be a part of it,” she said, per Variety. “So it’s a take on not being able to choose religion. And not being able to live the way that people might want you to live, because as a trans person I’m already not kind of wanted in religion. So we were doing a take on that and I was kind of hell keeper Kim.”