Rihanna’s Halftime Reveal & Performance
Sunday night was not only about the Super-Bowl, but Rihanna’s halftime performance. A 20-minute explosion of crimson and an unexpected pregnancy reveal.
Rihanna brought new viewers into the football world just to tune in to her performance.
The Reveal
She opened the show with her hit “B*tch Better Have Money”. Then, she sang her other hits, including “We Found Love, “Rude Boy” and “Work.” While she sang, it appeared that Rihanna cradled her growing baby bump.
RiRi, a few days before, was teasing her fans with a trailer. This alludes to the 20-minute show being nothing less than spectacular. In the 30-second video, Rihanna’s silhouette could be seen onscreen as fans were heard in the background wondering what happened to her. When she appears RiRi silences the crowd and her track “Needed Me” begins to play.
This would be her first major performance since 2018. Jonathan Anderson created the surrealist leather breastplate Rihanna wore over her bodysuit and under the bright red boiler suit. Also, diamond brooches and left open at the torso to free the tummy. No, she did not sing any new songs at all. There is zero indication that her hypothetical ninth album, and her first since 2016’s “Anti”. Though some viewers wonder why she didn’t perform with and deliver such big news with performer and rapper A$AP Rocky, her partner, and father of her two children.
Rihanna’s Performance
The choreography was crisp, and precise, even while pregnant. Respect must be given to her ability to perform at her pace in a laid-back manner. I do not think it matched the energy surrounding the actual football game. The half-time shows are supposedly all-or-nothing performances, but RiRi did not give into the pressure of having that mindset. Her goal was to not only give a great performance, but also showing everyone she is a mother of two first. So to that end, congratulations Rihanna on your new bundle of joy.
Feature Image provided by People.