Rihanna performed an electrifying and hit-heavy half-time show at the Super Bowl on Sunday, but social media exploded when the singer revealed an unexpected special guest, gistpeople reports
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Rihanna was asked in an interview last week if there would be any surprises during her performance at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium.
“I’m thinking about bringing someone,” said the Bajan singer. “I’m not certain; we’ll see.”
Naturally, fans assumed she was referring to one of the many artists with whom she has collaborated throughout her illustrious career. A cameo from Jay-Z, Drake, or Eminem seemed likely, and it would be in keeping with the half-time show tradition of surprise duets.
Rihanna, however, was not referring to any of them. Although no one realized it at the time, she was implying that she was expecting her second child.
The singer did not perform any new music during her Super Bowl performance on Sunday, but the baby bump she did show off nearly broke the internet.
Rihanna appeared on a floating platform above a swarm of energetic dancers dressed all in white.
Shortly after her performance, Rihanna’s representatives confirmed she was pregnant.
Rihanna appeared on one of several floating platforms that soared high above the crowd, wearing an all-red custom jumpsuit by Loewe, as a swarm of energetic dancers, all dressed in white, gathered below.
The audience erupted as the singer launched into Better Have My Money, an ironic choice given that she is not being compensated for her Super Bowl performance (as is custom for half-time headliners).
As the 34-year-old dazzled the audience from above, her dancers performed beneath her at breakneck speed, displaying razor-sharp choreography that would last the entire performance.
The singer ran through several of her most well-known hits, beginning her set with some of her most danceable and up-tempo songs, including Only Girl (In The World) and the excellent Where Have You Been.
It was a half-time show that was not lacking in spectacle. As she launched into the euphoric We Found Love, fireworks exploded above the stadium.
Rihanna’s dancers performed razor-sharp routines at breakneck speed, as seen in the image caption.
While rumors of the star performing new music failed to materialize, the decision to rely on her extensive back catalogue, one of the strongest in pop music, was a wise one.
The singer crammed a slew of hits into a 14-minute set, often only performing the first verse or chorus of songs. However, monster hits like Rude Boy were balanced by the slightly harder-edged and lesser-known Pour It Up.
Elsewhere, the set utilized some of her most notable collaborations, but without any of her collaborators actually joining her on stage, which was somewhat disappointing.
There were no appearances from Jay-Z, Ye (formerly Kanye West), or DJ Khaled during her performances of Run This Town, All of the Lights, and Wild Thoughts.
But their absence had no effect. Everyone’s attention was now firmly focused on a completely different, and very visible, special guest.
