California’s mask mandate was brazenly disregarded on Sunday night at the Super Bowl, as Hollywood superstars who have been vocal in their support for the face mask policy chose to ignore it at the stadium.
Under California’s current rules, face masks must be worn when indoors in public spaces – such as inside a private box at the Super Bowl.
Furthermore, masks are recommended to be worn in high risk outdoor situations, such as in 70,000 strong audience at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.
Yet celebrities including Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron, Sean Penn and Kendall Jenner were all spotted without a face mask.
The Weeknd, Gordon Ramsay, Doja Cat, Andy Garcia and Ellen DeGeneres were all seen without a face mask.
Many social media users pointed out that children in California are still forced to wear face masks in their classrooms.
Ben Affleck and his girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were dancing up a storm indoors without face masks as they joined a bevy of other stars at the Super Bowl in Inglewood, California
The singer looked stylish in a white button-up short-sleeve blouse tucked into her high-waisted jeans. She wore her caramel-colored locks down across her chest and spiced up her look with large hoop earrings and several bracelets, along with large angular sunglasses
No one in Affleck and Lopez’s box was wearing a face mask, despite the rules
Soccer player Alex Morgan was among those not wearing a mask indoors in a box
Shawn Mendes leaves the Super Bowl with his face mask in hand – but not on his face
A maskless Megan Thee Stallion leaves the Super Bowl after Sunday’s show
Gordon Ramsay was not wearing a face mask as he left the Super Bowl stadium, despite the crowds
The Weeknd, who performed during last year’s half time show, did not wear a face mask
Doja Cat and her entourage were ignoring the mask mandate as they left the stadium
Rapper G-Eazy leaves the Super Bowl, without wearing a face mask
‘Here’s the video of every celebrity without a mask during the Super Bowl,’ tweeted radio host Clay Travis.
‘But every kid in California will have to be wearing them tomorrow in school. They must all be holding their breaths the entire game.’
One man mockingly tweeted: ‘Apparently COVID can’t touch you if you drop five-grand on Super Bowl tickets.
‘But tomorrow morning, school children – for whom COVID is nearly 100% survivable – will wear masks for eight hours. Science.’
Another said: ‘Seeing 71,000 maskless screaming fans at the Super Bowl made me very worried about COVID spread.
‘But then I remembered that 5-year-olds will have cloth masks on their face tomorrow, so crisis averted!
‘We’ll all be safe now!’
Another noticed that the staff at the stadium were complying with the rules, but not the celebrities.
‘Only the ushers wearing masks while all the celebrities were unmasked. Hypocrisy!’
Sporting stars LeBron James and 74-year-old retired basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar were also maskless.
‘Kareem has been very vocal on his stance as far as masks/vaccines & then shows up to the Super Bowl like this?’ one woman asked.
And Amy Kremer, co-founder of Donald Trump’s PAC, posted a photo of DeGeneres captioned: ‘No mask at the #SuperBowl , but all the kids in California will be wearing masks at school tomorrow.’
Affleck, 49, and the 52-year-old Hustlers star were spotted getting down in footage from the game, laughing and chatting indoors in a private box.
The hometown event saw the stars watching a showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.
One of the few to wear a face mask was Prince Harry, spotted in a luxury suite with his cousin Princess Eugenie.
He masked up and wore a black blazer over a casual white shirt, while she paired a black top and blazer with jeans.
Jay-Z was also unusual in donning a face mask, with the rapper taking it to extremes and wearing it outdoors on the pitch, with no one around him.
Kendall Jenner, Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber were arranged at the prime seats at the front of the suite, all maskless.
Jenner was also joined by her boyfriend Devin Booker, who plays for the Phoenix Suns.
The game had royalty in attendance, as Prince Harry was spotted in a luxury suite while joined by Princess Eugenie – both wearing masks
He masked up and wore a black blazer over a casual white shirt, while she paired a black top and blazer with jeans
The maskless trio of Kendall Jenner, Justin and Hailey Bieber are seen at the Super Bowl in Inglewood, California
Jenner wore a white crop top with black jeans. She was joined by her boyfriend Devin Booker (L) who had on a white shirt with a black jacket
No one in their box appeared to be respecting the COVID protocols
The Biebers were among many flouting the mask mandate
Bieber opted for a more minimalist look with a white shirt, a matching zip-up hoodie and black sunglasses
The Canadian-born singer also wore small gold earrings and a gold luxury wristwatch
Bieber and his wife put on their sunglasses while gazing up inside the massive stadium, but not face masks
Hailey Bieber then covered up with loose-fitting black shirt as the temperature dropped
Youth orchestra masked while celebrities ignore the mandate
The Los Angeles Youth Orchestra played outside the stadium on Sunday night, ahead of the game – with many of the young musicians masked, despite the Hollywood stars flouting the rules.
In jarring images, the group of around 20 young musicians performed Lift Every Voice and Sing, alongside gospel duo, Mary Mary – who didn’t wear face coverings as they sang.
Stadium officials said they planned to enforce mask-wearing, which is required at all times, except when ‘actively’ eating or drinking. But they ignored all the famous faces ignoring the rules.
Mary Mary sing, as behind them the masked youth orchestra perform
Earlier in the weekend, Bieber was swept up in a frightening incident in the city.
On Friday, Bieber performed a show in West Hollywood, and gunfire erupted later in the evening outside the afterparty he threw nearby.
Three people were shot, including rapper Kodak Black, and another person was injured.
None appeared to have life-threatening injuries.
Following his online feuding with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian’s boyfriend Pete Davidson, Kanye West cooled down with a trip to the Super Bowl with his two eldest children and the rappers Tyga and YG.
The Monster rapper covered his face completely with a black balaclava, which matched his black hoodie, jeans and gloves, though he removed his mask later in the game
Sitting to Kanye’s left was his daughter North, eight, and his son Saint, six.
His daughter Chicago, four, and son Psalm, two, appeared to have stayed home.
Antonio Brown took in the game on the rapper’s right.
At one point, the masked rapper leaned his head affectionately against his daughter as he tried to hear her over the din of the crowd.
North wore a black jersey and a cool set of red-tinted box braids, while Saint also had braids and matched her in black.
Kanye, who has been fighting online with his ex’s boyfriend, picked an odd choice of Super Bowl companions, as Tyga previously dated Kylie Jenner, who now shares two children with Kanye’s friend Travis Scott.
Kanye West is seen in a full face mask at the Super Bowl with his two eldest children and the rappers Tyga and YG
The Monster rapper covered his face completely with a black balaclava, which matched his black hoodie, jeans and gloves. However, he eventually took it off while watching the game
Sitting next to Kanye left was his daughter North, eight, and his son Saint, six, though his daughter Chicago, four, and son Psalm, two, appeared to have stayed home
At one point, the masked rapper leaned his head affectionately against his daughter as he tried to hear her over the din of the crowd
North wore a black jersey and a cool set of red-tinted box braids, while Saint also had braids and matched her in black
Another rapper who got drawn into Kanye’s feud with Pete Davidson was his one-time nemesis Drake, who looked somber as he watched the game from luxury seats, without a face mask.
Another rapper who got drawn into Kanye’s feud with Pete Davidson was his one-time nemesis Drake, who looked somber as he watched the game from luxury seats
Low key: Drake rocked a simple gray hoodie while sporting a thick beard from a different section of the stadium
Jay-Z opted for safety by wearing a mask throughout much of the game.
He was joined by his daughter Blue Ivy on the field.
Jay wore a white T-shirt and a black baseball cap, while his daughter had on a cool tie-dye T-shirt and wore long box braids that were undone at the bottom.
Ellen DeGeneres also had some prime seats for the game in a luxury suite, without face masks.
She sat in a corner in the front row accompanied by her wife, Arrested Development star Portia de Rossi.
The comedian-turned-talk show host looked relaxed in a green polo shirt with breast pockets, while Portia opted for more color with a black dress with intricate designs over her torso and baby blue and burgundy–striped sleeves.
DeGeneres was spotted socializing with other people in the suite while sipping on what appeared to be a screwdriver as she flashed a peace sign.
No one in their party was wearing a mask.
Music legend: Jay-Z opted for safety by wearing a mask throughout much of the game
Father–daughter bonding: He was joined by his daughter Blue Ivy on the field. Jay wore a white T-shirt and a black baseball cap, while his daughter had on a cool tie-dye T-shirt and wore long box braids that were undone at the bottom
Coupled up: Ellen DeGeneres also had some prime seats for the game in a luxury suite. She sat in a corner in the front row accompanied by her wife, Arrested Development star Portia de Rossi
Peace out: Ellen was spotted socializing with other people in the suite while sipping on what appeared to be a screwdriver as she flashed a peace sign
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson had a much more public presence at the Super Bowl after he appeared on the field ahead of the game.
The wrestler-turned-actor wore a burgundy T-shirt highlighting his bulging biceps with red trousers and white high top sneakers.
Earlier in the day, he noted on social media that Sunday marked the first time that the Super Bowl was held at the same time as the Olympics.
He first introduced the hometown Rams, then introduced the Bengals as a team ready to ‘give their city their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.’
Center of attention: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson had a much more public presence at the Super Bowl after he appeared on the field ahead of the game
Simple: The wrestler-turned-actor wore a burgundy T-shirt highlighting his bulging biceps with red trousers and white high top sneakers
Special occasion: Earlier in the day, he noted on social media that Sunday marked the first time that the Super Bowl was held at the same time as the Olympics. Special occasion: Earlier in the day, he noted on social media that Sunday marked the first time that the Super Bowl was held at the same time as the Olympics
Among Ben Affleck’s famous friends in attendance was his longtime pal Matt Damon, who wore a ‘Boston strong’ T-shirt while his wife Luciana Barroso sat on his lap.
He had an uncharacteristic mustache and wore cool aviator sunglasses with a navy baseball cap.
She matched him in a blue T-shirt and wore several bracelets and gold hoop earrings.
It wasn’t clear if Affleck and Damon were seated near each other, but the Bourne Identity star had plenty of other famous friends to hang out with.
He was spotted greeting Charlize Theron, who came in for a group hug with him and Luciana.
Theron wore a navy striped shirt over a black tank top, along with an LA Rams cap and red sunglasses.
No one in their party was wearing a mask.
Damon wore a ‘Boston strong’ T-shirt while his wife Luciana Barroso sat on his lap
It’s a party! The Bourne Identity star had plenty of other famous friends to hang out with, including Charlize Theron
Theron hugs Damon’s wife, while no one in their box wears a face mask
Theron wore a navy striped shirt over a black tank top, along with an LA Rams cap and red sunglasses
Mark Wahlberg was spotted elsewhere in the stadium as he stopped to take a phone call.
He sported a mustache — a rarity for the usually clean-shaven actor — and he wore a black T-shirt.
Licorice Pizza actor Sean Penn matched him in another black T-shirt from his spot in a luxury suite.
Andy Garcia was also spotted on his phone from his seat. He wore a pale blue striped shirt with sunglasses.
There were plenty of sports stars at the Super Bowl, including LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Floyd Mayweather.
LeBron looked cool in a dark green shirt with pink, gold and white stripes, along with several thick chains and a luxury wristwatch.
Magic cut a more reserved figure in a white graphic T-shirt, while Floyd wore opulent diamond-covered necklaces and bracelets with his skin-tight black shirt.
Hold the phone: Mark Wahlberg was spotted elsewhere in the stadium as he stopped to take a phone call. He sported a mustache and he wore a black T-shirt. Licorice Pizza actor Sean Penn matched him in another black T-shirt from his spot in a luxury suite
Downtime: Andy Garcia was also spotted on his phone from his seat. He wore a pale blue striped shirt with sunglasses
Sporting: There were plenty of sports stars at the Super Bowl, including LeBron James and Magic Johnson. LeBron looked cool in a dark green shirt with pink, gold and white stripes, along with several thick chains and a luxury wristwatch
Basketball legend: Magic cut a more reserved figure in a white Versace T-shirt
Opulent: Floyd wore diamond-covered necklaces and bracelets with his skin-tight black shirt
The day before the big game, actor and director Taika Waititi joked on Instagram that he had arrived there too early as he posed in front of an empty stadium.
But things were looking more lively in a follow-up photo he posted on Sunday showing the enormous crowd.
He also caught a glimpse of his girlfriend Rita Ora cheering on singer Mickey Guyton as she performed the Star-Spangled Banner.
Australian comic star Rebel Wilson seemed to be enjoying the game from the stands while wearing a blue jersey and cool cat-eye sunglasses.
‘That’s better’: The day before the big game, actor and director Taika Waititi joked on Instagram that he had gotten there too early as he posed in front of an empty stadium. But things were looking more lively in a follow-up photo he posted on Sunday showing the enormous crowd
Rocking out: He also caught a glimpse of his girlfriend Rita Ora cheering on singer Mickey Guyton as she performed the Star-Spangled Banner
Blue mood: Australian comic star Rebel Wilson seemed to be enjoying the game from the stands while wearing a blue jersey and cool cat-eye sunglasses
Martha Stewart was among the attendees cheering on her friend and co-star Snoop Dogg, who performed during the all-star halftime show.
She wore a camouflage down jacket over a dark green shirt, without a face mask.
Next to her was former SNL and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan, who beamed while wearing an enormous gold pendant around his neck.
Insecure star Issa Rae grinned from her prime perch at the edge of the field – without wearing a face mask.
On Tuesday, the guidance in California will change to remove the order to wear face masks indoors, provided you are vaccinated.
Unvaccinated people must still wear face coverings indoors.
And the recommendation remains that, in a crowded situation, masks are advisable.
There for a friend: Martha Stewart was among the attendees cheering on her friend and costar Snoop Dogg, who performed during the all-star halftime show. She wore a camouflage down jacket over a dark green shirt
Funny man: Next to her was former SNL and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan, who beamed while wearing an enormous gold pendant around his neck
Beaming: Insecure star Issa Rae showed off her infectious smile from her prime perch at the edge of the field