Rihanna's halftime performance at Super Bowl LVII was full of hits. But what Rihanna didn't say drew perhaps the biggest response online.
So when #rihanna told @nateburleson there was gonna be a surprise guest at the halftime show, I’m betting that the BABY is the surprise guest #JustSayin #SuperBowl
— Sharlee Rose Edwards (@SharleeEdwards) February 13, 2023
• Bingo! https://t.co/drBTSdyFop
— Nathaniel E Burleson (@nateburleson) February 13, 2023
Nate Burleson confirmed a Twitter user's suspicion that Rihanna's "surprise guest" during her performance was a baby. She had her first child — with rapper A$AP Rocky — in May 2022 and a rep for the singer confirmed the news of a second pregnancy via Rolling Stone.
Her Super Bowl LVII halftime show was her first live performance in seven years. She hasn't released an album in just as long, but no one noticed as she delivered a career-spanning medley with countless hits.
She opened the performance with "B-tch Better Have My Money," which unfortunately the NFL won't. The league doesn't pay its halftime performers an appearance fee.
Hi, Rihanna #SBLVII pic.twitter.com/8OhzMFRzss
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 13, 2023
The set continued with "Where Have You Been" and also featured hits including "Rude Boy," "Pour It Up," "We Found Love" and "Work."
WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK ️#Rihanna | #SBLVII pic.twitter.com/yjtt0NLyhu
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 13, 2023
She also performed two songs she sings the hook on, Kanye West's "All of the Lights" and Jay-Z's "Run This Town."
ALL OF THE LIGHTS ✨#SBLVII | #Rihanna pic.twitter.com/fmyWct4Gbl
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 13, 2023
WE GONNA RUN THIS TOWN TONIGHT ️#SBLVII | #Rihanna pic.twitter.com/zjY1pWVdzm
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 13, 2023
Rihanna closed her set with "Umbrella" and "Diamonds," the latter of which featured Rihanna singing atop a platform suspended in the air.
UNDER MY UMBRELLA ELLA ELLA EH EH EH ️#SBLVII | #Rihanna pic.twitter.com/jrgxx4EEhd
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 13, 2023
Rihanna wins the award for the absolute best Halftime Show shot. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/YmFyk2O8qr
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 13, 2023
The performance was universally praised online, with particular attention drawn to Rihanna's deep discography.
this Rihanna set list pic.twitter.com/R6qo5IyKpH
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 13, 2023
This entire set list … just perfect
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 13, 2023
Rih got so many killer tracks!!!! . ♦️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 13, 2023
Eagles fans were likely even bigger fans of the halftime show since it kept Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes off the field.
Rihanna was on the field for over 17 minutes while Mahomes and the Chiefs offense only saw the field for eight minutes in the first half.
Time of possession:
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) February 13, 2023
Eagles: 21:54
Rihanna: 17:31
Chiefs: 8:06
The Eagles could have used Rihanna to stall Mahomes some more in the second half. Kansas City trailed 24-14 through the first two quarters but the offense got going in the second half and the Chiefs won a thrilling Super Bowl, 38-35.
Rihanna's halftime performance was one for the ages. The Eagles and Chiefs made sure the game live up to the occasion.
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