On Sunday, the nine-time Grammy Award winner Rihanna made a much-anticipated return during the Super Bowl 57 halftime show.
It has been reported that ahead of the event, Rihanna spent more than half a million dollars on a five-bedroom Arizona rental pad for her stay.
According to TMZ, “Rihanna rented 6,434 square feet home in Paradise Valley which boasts two living rooms, a private gym, and an office.
The luxurious establishment was located at a distance of 30km from the State Farm Stadium.
“The mansion goes for a cool $85,000 (£70,000)/a night fee, meaning her 6-day stint added up to around $510K,” wrote Daily Mail.
“A huge pool with a built-in waterfall, a pickle ball court and a bar area is also said to sit outside the pad.”
It is also to be noted that the pop icon didn’t receive a single penny for her performance at the Super Bowl.
“We do not pay the artists,” NFL spokesperson Joanna Hunter told Forbes in 2016. “We cover expenses and production costs.”
According to the magazine, “It’s not an insignificant outlay. When Beyoncé first performed at the Super Bowl–for free–in 2013, sources told FORBES that the total production cost was about $600,000. More recently, some reports have put that number as high as $10 million (which seems high, given that top stadium concerts gross around $5 million).”
“Either way, the halftime show serves as a a free commercial for headlining acts, one that airs in front of more than 100 million people.”
The 34-year-old Barbadian singer 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.”
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.
Even her backup dancers didn’t know she was pregnant with baby no. 2 until she took the stage for her halftime performance.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday, dancers Luhnyae Campbell and Laila Hayes said the singer hid her pregnancy very well.
“I don’t think anybody really knew she was pregnant,” Hayes told ET. “She hid it very well.”
“We were all confused watching it during the real thing when she went up there and was showing her stomach,” dancer Hayes added. “She wore the same outfit for one of the dress rehearsals but it was zippered up.”
Meanwhile, Luhnyae Campbell said she didn’t even see Rihanna’s baby bump during or even after her performance.
“I never saw a bump. Not even the day of. I had to rewatch the performance on YouTube to realize.”
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Sources: Vogue – Entertainment Tonight – Daily Mail – TMZ
