The NFL has revealed that Rihanna has been chosen to perform in the Super Bowl LVII halftime show.
Following TMZ’s story that she has been in talks with the NFL and Roc Nation about performing at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 12, 2023, the pop artist took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal a shot of her tattooed hand holding an NFL-branded football. Rihanna’s post is also her first social media activity since giving birth to her first child in May.
The halftime show is overseen by Roc Nation, which shared Rihanna’s post with the caption “Let’s GO.” Jay-Z-music entertainment firm, which represents the “Umbrella” singer, has also tagged Apple Music, which has replaced Pepsi as the show’s sponsor.
Rihanna’s statement comes after reports that Taylor Swift was being considered for the halftime show. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Anderson performed at the game’s first hip-hop-themed halftime show in February. Paak.
The Fenty Beauty mogul, who was spotted with her partner, A$AP Rocky, at a Rolling Loud after-party on Saturday night, previously turned down the Super Bowl gig in solidarity with activist and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“I couldn’t possibly do it, “In 2019, she told Vogue. “For what purpose? Who benefits from this? They are not my people. I couldn’t possibly be a sellout. I couldn’t possibly be an enabler. There are things within that organization with which I strongly disagree, and I was not about to go and serve them in any capacity.”
Jay-Z praised Rihanna as a “generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn” in a statement released by the NFL announcing Rihanna’s performance.