British singer-songwriter Bishop Briggs has found herself at the centre of a social media storm following her performance at the 2026 Rose Parade. The artist, who opened the rain-soaked New Year's Day event, faced significant criticism from netizens who were unhappy with her selection and her act.
A Performance That Failed to Connect
According to a report by ftw.usatoday.com, Bishop Briggs kicked off the iconic parade with a mix of original songs and covers. Her set began with a rendition of Queen's classic We Will Rock You, performed while seated on a golden globe. Despite efforts from both Briggs and her accompanying dancers to engage the audience in Pasadena, the crowd reportedly remained unresponsive.
The Grammy-nominated artist performed three of her original tracks: CHAMPION, River, and HIGHER. In an attempt to create a moment, she tried to get the spectators to sing along to River, which is considered one of her biggest hits. However, the publication noted that this effort also fell flat and failed to establish a connection with the parade attendees.
Social Media Erupts in Criticism
Online platforms were quickly flooded with negative reactions from viewers. One user commented on the puzzling choice, stating, "Bishop Briggs to kick off the Rose Parade was….a choice." Another was more direct in their disapproval, posting, "Watching the Rose Parade and this singer is awful. Terrible. #bishopbriggs giving me my first headache of the NY. Wow. Just wow. Ghastly."
The criticism extended to her vocal abilities, with one netizen questioning, "watching beginning of rose parade and whoever bishop briggs maybe she should learn how to sing those songs before trying to preform them. it was terrible." These were not isolated comments, as numerous other social media users voiced their displeasure at the decision to have the 33-year-old singer open the prestigious 2026 parade.
Who is Bishop Briggs?
For those unfamiliar with the artist, Bishop Briggs is a British singer-songwriter known for her music in the alternative and electropop genres. Her real name is Sarah Grace McLaughlin. She adopted her stage name from Bishopbriggs, a town in Scotland where her family originates, though she was born in London.
Her career took off with the release of River in January 2016, which remains her most famous song to date. She has since released three studio albums: Church of Scars (2018), Champion (2019), and Tell My Therapist I'm Fine (2024). Her discography also includes three EPs and several singles. Despite her credentials and a Grammy nomination, her Rose Parade performance has become a significant point of controversy as the new year begins.
