According to Rihanna, Beyoncé was a major inspiration for her 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. Listen to a podcast to hear what she had to say before making her debut at the big game.
Who is responsible for organizing the Super Bowl halftime show? Ask Rihanna.
The 2023 headlining performer took inspiration from Beyoncé and other pop queens as she prepared for her big game debut on February 12. The “Crazy in Love” singer previously been at the NFL finals in 2013 and 2016.
On the iHeart network’s NFL podcast The Process with Nate Burleson, Rihanna said that she has attended many Beyoncé halftime concerts. The release of the episode coincided with the 2023 Super Bowl. “To put it simply, she is a monster on a completely different plane. With the only intention of sparking some imagination.”
According to Rihanna, she studied Whitney Houston’s legendary rendition of the U.S. national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, as well as Madonna’s (the 2012 headliner) and Janet Jackson’s (the 2004 co-headliner) performances to prepare for her halftime show appearance.
Rihanna said that in August 2022, not long after she and A$AP Rocky welcomed their first child into the world, she was requested to perform as the headlining act at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show. She remarked, “It came out of nowhere, which made it all the more terrifying.” When this happened, my son was maybe three months old at the most.
What more did she have to say? “Since 2016, I have not been on tour. Those events occurred seven years ago. After that, I don’t think I ever performed onstage again.”
Rihanna’s final concert was during the 2016 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In 2019, her Diamond Ball held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City was the final time she performed live.
Rihanna remarked on performing on stage: “I miss it” on a podcast. “But it’s remarkable how they came back from nothing to win the Super Bowl. As for me, I just didn’t know what to make of it. I’m looking forward to the challenge because I believe that’s what motivated me.”
Continued she, “My only goals are to enjoy myself and put on a fantastic performance. There’s too much pressure for me to cave in.”
The performer also dropped hints about a major revelation. She remarked, “I might bring someone with me.” I guess we’ll find out.
