(CNN) — How about that Rihanna concert interspersed with a soccer game?
At least that’s how Apple Music’s halftime show at Super Bowl LVII felt with her as the headlining artist.
Dressed entirely in red, including lipstick, she kicked off the performance by flying high over the field on a floating stage singing “B**ch Better Have My Money.”
Rihanna performs onstage during Apple Music’s Super Bowl LVII halftime show at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
What followed were some of their biggest hits, including “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Only Girl (In the World),” and “Umbrella.”
He also included his verses on the Kanye West hit “All of the Lights” and “Run This Town,” his song with West and Jay-Z.
Rihanna closed with “Diamonds” and sparked speculation that she might be pregnant as she rubbed her abdomen during the song.
CNN has reached out to Rihanna’s publicist for comment.
After her performance, a representative for Rihanna confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she is pregnant.
In the days leading up to the show, Rihanna shared some thoughts on the challenges in preparing for the halftime show.
He said during a chat with Apple Music that one of the hardest parts was deciding which of his songs to perform.
“The set list was the biggest challenge. That was the hardest part, the hardest part,” she said. “Decide how to maximize 13 minutes but also celebrate, that’s how the show will be. It’s going to be a celebration of my catalog in the best way we could have done it.”
“Trying to cram 17 years of work into 13 minutes” has been “difficult,” he said.
In an episode of the iHeart/NFL podcast “The Process with Nate Burleson” released on Super Bowl Sunday, Rihanna said Prince’s 2007 halftime performance is one of her favorites and that she “watched Prince’s halftime performances Beyoncé a few times” to prepare.
“She’s a beast and she’s on another level,” Rihanna said. “Just for inspiration, really.”
Rihanna, mother of a young son, said that she is being very demanding with the projects she undertakes since the birth of her first child in May 2022. She said yes to performing at the Super Bowl and recording the now Oscar-nominated single “Lift Me.” Up” from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack.
So what does that mean for the new music fans have been begging you to deliver for years?
“I don’t know!” she said. “I just want to put out music and have fun with it, but if it has to be an album, that might take some time.”
(CNN) — How about that Rihanna concert interspersed with a soccer game?
At least that’s how Apple Music’s halftime show at Super Bowl LVII felt with her as the headlining artist.
Dressed entirely in red, including lipstick, she kicked off the performance by flying high over the field on a floating stage singing “B**ch Better Have My Money.”
Rihanna performs onstage during Apple Music’s Super Bowl LVII halftime show at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
What followed were some of their biggest hits, including “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Only Girl (In the World),” and “Umbrella.”
He also included his verses on the Kanye West hit “All of the Lights” and “Run This Town,” his song with West and Jay-Z.
Rihanna closed with “Diamonds” and sparked speculation that she might be pregnant as she rubbed her abdomen during the song.
CNN has reached out to Rihanna’s publicist for comment.
After her performance, a representative for Rihanna confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she is pregnant.
In the days leading up to the show, Rihanna shared some thoughts on the challenges in preparing for the halftime show.
He said during a chat with Apple Music that one of the hardest parts was deciding which of his songs to perform.
“The set list was the biggest challenge. That was the hardest part, the hardest part,” she said. “Decide how to maximize 13 minutes but also celebrate, that’s how the show will be. It’s going to be a celebration of my catalog in the best way we could have done it.”
“Trying to cram 17 years of work into 13 minutes” has been “difficult,” he said.
In an episode of the iHeart/NFL podcast “The Process with Nate Burleson” released on Super Bowl Sunday, Rihanna said Prince’s 2007 halftime performance is one of her favorites and that she “watched Prince’s halftime performances Beyoncé a few times” to prepare.
“She’s a beast and she’s on another level,” Rihanna said. “Just for inspiration, really.”
Rihanna, mother of a young son, said that she is being very demanding with the projects she undertakes since the birth of her first child in May 2022. She said yes to performing at the Super Bowl and recording the now Oscar-nominated single “Lift Me.” Up” from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack.
So what does that mean for the new music fans have been begging you to deliver for years?
“I don’t know!” she said. “I just want to put out music and have fun with it, but if it has to be an album, that might take some time.”
