The rumor of Rihanna’s pregnancy had the internet abuzz on Sunday as she took the stage at the Super Bowl Half Time Show.
Rihanna’s attire, cautious strides, and noticeable belly sparked widespread speculation on the internet. And, within an hour, a spokesperson confirmed that she is indeed expecting her second child.
On Sunday, the nine-time Grammy Award winner Rihanna made a much-anticipated return during the Super Bowl 57 halftime show. The show showcased her Caribbean heritage and sparked rumors online about a potential pregnancy.
Rihanna, who is 34 years old, put on an amazing performance in front of a worldwide audience of millions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs were competing.
This marks her first appearance on live television since 2018 when she teamed up with DJ Khaled to sing “Wild Thoughts” at the Grammy Awards.
Rihanna kicked off the performance while suspended high above the stage on a platform, singing her hit song “B**** Better Have My Money.” She was sporting a loose-fitting scarlet jumpsuit that hid her figure and was loosely secured on her.
Rihanna stepped out in style, sporting a suit paired with a bold pair of red sneakers. She took the stage, surrounded by a troupe of white-clad dancers, as the platform she was standing on descended towards the crowd.
The pop star kept her choreography simple, allowing her backup dancers to take the lead, as she ran through a set of 12 hit songs. The audience erupted as she transitioned into “Where Have You Been,” followed by her smash hit “Only Girl (In The World)”.
Her performance continued with crowd-pleasers like “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” and “Work,” although her collaborator Drake was not present for the latter. She also performed “Wild Thoughts” and “Pour It Up.”
Rihanna made some bold song choices, including a snippet of her verse from Kanye West’s “All Of The Lights,” as well as a performance of part of Jay-Z’s “Run This Town,” which originally featured West. West, however, has faced controversy for making anti-Semitic comments, including reportedly praising Adolf Hitler.
The singer brought her set to a close with a dynamic finale of “Umbrella” and “Diamonds.”
Robyn Rihanna Fenty, the multi-platinum recording artist, has not released a solo album since 2016. Her only recent solo effort came in October, when she recorded “Lift Me Up” as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman for the film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The song earned her an Academy Award nomination.
The highly anticipated show by Rihanna was graced by an array of celebrity guests, who were just as eager to see her perform once again as the audiences watching from home. Jay-Z, who played a crucial role in securing Rihanna’s record deal, was seen on the field with Blue Ivy, his daughter with Beyoncé, and rapper Lil Uzi Vert. Paul McCartney, who teamed up with Rihanna and Kanye West for the hit single “FourFiveSeconds,” was accompanied by his wife Nancy Shevell in a VIP box.
Country rocker Chris Stapleton was also present to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Other celebrities in the audience included Questlove, the drummer of The Roots, Kevin Hart, Billie Eilish, Adele, who stated she was attending “just for Rihanna”, Neicy Nash, Paul Rudd of Ant-Man fame, Corey Gamble, Kris Jenner’s partner, Tracy Morgan from SNL and 30 Rock, and Joel McHale from Community.
This show marked Rihanna’s first performance since the birth of her first child in May of 2022, whom she shares with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, of three years.
The singer was motivated to take on the challenge after becoming a mother, stating, “When you become a mom, something changes, and you feel like you can conquer the world and do anything,” she told reporters in Phoenix on Thursday.
I didn’t like it. To me it was just a lot of chanting and gyrating. Sorry.