7 highlights from Rihanna’s show-stopping 2023 Super Bowl performance
Following months of waiting, Rihanna delivered the set-list of our dreams while revealing the expansion of her and A$AP Rocky’s brood.
By Hayley Peppin
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN” Rihanna? Seriously, we missed you.
It was the performance we’ve been waiting for since it was announced last year and boy, did Rihanna surprise us all. From the hit-filled set-list to that pregnancy reveal, the 34-year-old reminded us as to why she’s one of greatest performers of all time.
On February 12, she took to the stage, which was built in just eight minutes by almost 400 production crew, at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, halfway through the Kansas City Chiefs’ and the Philadelphia Eagles’ game. It was a headline show of epic proportions, most literally as several floating platforms flew through the stadium which Rihanna and her crew fearlessly danced on. While it took a lot of “work, work, work, work, work,” to prepare for her 13-minute act, the pop icon didn’t get paid for it.
As is customary for the Super Bowl, all headline artists do not receive an appearance fee. They are, however, covered for all expenses involved in the coordination and production of the performance and are are paid at “union scale,” which is a minimum wage guaranteed by a union contract. For many of the world’s best and brightest, such as Beyoncé at the Super Bowl in 2013 and Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s performance in 2020, the opportunity and honour to perform at the world’s largest sports event halftime show is enough to convince them to go ahead. It also increases individual exposure and sees a boost in sales following their show. Already, Rihanna’s Spotify streams spiked 640 per cent after her appearance — even though she was concerned about her Super Bowl set-list being too short.
Below, we round up every pivotal moment from Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance, the first time she’s performed in over seven years since 2016’s ANTI album was released.
Related: Rihanna reveals she studied Beyoncé’s Super Bowl set ahead of her own
1
Is Rihanna pregnant?
She sure is, as confirmed by her rep to multiple outlets. Social media went into meltdown after Rihanna opened her headliner with a not-so-subtle belly rub, perhaps signalling a second baby is on the way. “Baby bump again? Subtle belly rub….????” one person wrote to Twitter, while another said: “Well we just watched Rihanna announce her second pregnancy during the half time show of the Super Bowl! Love it!” While she certainly busted a move, many fans also suggested Rihanna purposefully didn’t keep up with her back-up dancers due to carrying her second child. Well, turns out — they’re right. Rihanna’s rep confirmed she was pregnant shortly after her explosive performance. It’s unclear how far along she is.
2
Her bespoke Loewe red boilersuit
Whether you’re disappointed or not that Rihanna didn’t go for something as OTT as her Met Gala outfits, we personally adore the look. Why? Well, the bespoke red jumpsuit by Loewe, which she paired with two different matching Alaïa coats — one tributing the late André Leon Talley — and chunky sneakers by Maison Margiela x Salomon Cross, proved Rihanna didn’t need to dazzle us with some avant-garde nor daring outfit … although, she did wear a rare ring Bayco ring valued at $1.4 million. She can just easily captivate a crowd with her electrifying vocals and vivacious dance moves. Also, the boiler suit’s attached bustier is proof that the breastplate is 2023’s biggest trend.
3
Rihanna flexes Fenty with mid-way makeup spruce
If anyone can make a bold, yet ever-so-chic, brand statement it’s Rihanna. After a dancer offers the singer a palette — the Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder to be correct — Rihanna swiftly goes for a dewy Fenty touch-up just to illuminate her flawless skin … and fabulous cosmetics label of hers. Instant meme, instantly iconic.
4
THAT fierce set-list
There’s no disappointing members of the Navy with Rihanna’s banging lineup of songs. While she previously admitted to finding the process of limiting her discography to just 13-minutes as the most difficult aspect — she certainly gave the fans what they wanted. “You’re trying to cram 17 years of work into 13 minutes, so it’s difficult. Some songs we have to lose because of that, and that’s gonna be okay, but I think we did a pretty good job of narrowing it down,” Rihanna told Apple Music Radio’s Nadeska Alexis. She opened with ‘Bitch, Better Have My Money,’ the betting favourite and closed with ‘Diamonds.’ See the full Super Bowl set-list below.
- Bitch Better Have My Money
- Where Have You Been
- Only Girl in the World
- We Found Love
- Rude Boy
- Work
- Wild Thoughts
- Pour It Up
- All of the Lights
- Run This Town
- Umbrella
- Diamonds
5
A$AP Rocky being the cutest proud partner
Proving he’s the best boyfriend, A$AP Rocky lovingly filmed Rihanna performing while spectating on the field. The father of her nine-month-old son was seen smiling on the field as he panned his phone across Rihanna’s collossal performance area.
6
The floating stage??
An engineering feat or Rihanna feat? Either way, the numerous suspended platforms which flew through the air looked both incredible and terrifying. Somehow, a pregnant Rihanna and her talented backup crew fearlessly danced around with zero concerns for their safety. 10/10 seamlessness.
7
Solo and slay
While some fans were critical of Rihanna’s performance claiming it was underwhelming without a surprise act, which has long been a Super Bowl tradition — we think the 34-year-old absolutely held her own. Sure, Jay Z who was in attendance could have graced the stage for their song ‘Run This Town’ and maybe Drake flown for ‘Pour it Up,’ Rihanna didn’t need anyone to enhance her headliner. Following a seven-year performance hiatus, Rihanna showed off her stunning vocal chops, impressive dance skills — even with child — and reminded us why she’s one of the GOAT performers of all time. She’s the spectacle, she’s the slay. Although, we tend to agree that Tom Holland would have been an excellent addition to her rendition of ‘Umbrella.’
