The Super Bowl LVII halftime show sponsor, Apple Music, cannot schedule performer and new mommy Rihanna accordingly, reports say. Apple Music will be the presenting sponsor of this year’s event, taking over Pepsi, which had sponsored the show for the last decade.
The iconic national headlining performance is set to relaunch Bad Gal RiRi’s music career after stepping away from music and performances for nearly seven years. Instead, she focused on building her popular billion-dollar fashion and beauty empire, Savage X Fenty.
However, October 2022 already saw the superstar dipping her toes back in the music scene with the Golden-Globe-nominated single, “Lift Me Up.” The song is featured on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack and serves as a tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman.
Rihanna’s Scheduling Conflicts
What’s a new year without a spicy scandal? Hours before 2023, popular online blog DeauxMoi shared an anonymous email regarding Rihanna’s performance spectacular.
“My friend is working on the production for the SB halftime show. Rihanna had a midnight call time and showed up at 5 am! Kept a ton of Apple employees waiting for hours (Apple is this year’s sponsor).” The DeauxMoi blogger added, “I actually also heard that she’s only had like one rehearsal so far, as in it’s hard for them to get her to rehearsal, so maybe this is true.”
Neither camp came forward with a statement, confirming or denying the accusation. So, there’s a lot of room for speculation. If Rihanna is a billionaire-dollar lady and captain of the NAVY (her fanbase’s name) why can’t she hire help and show up on time? What is the discrepancy?
As this rumor caught no wind, there is no further information concerning the incident. Sometimes, people stir up stories. And, sometimes, it is fun to talk about.
The Official Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Teaser Trailer
The accusations are not slowing down Rihanna nor the NFL’s media rollout. In fact, the “Umbrella” singer, 34, finally dropped the teaser trailer for her headline show on February 12.
In the 30-second clip, the singer struts the catwalk in ominous lighting and heel clacking. Fan comments cram the spacious room and dead silence.
“Dude, Rihanna, we’ve waited for you,” said one voice. Another added, “It’s been six years since the nine-time Grammy-winner dropped an album.”
Rihanna finally hits the spotlight, wearing a green feathered coat with silver chunky jewelry sitting atop a plain black unitard. (And let’s talk about the exquisite hair!) After stopping the room, she fills the silent room with her 2016 hit, “Needed Me.”
In anticipation for her halftime performance, the fashion mogul revealed a Savage X Fenty Game Day collection. The standout piece of the Rihanna-fied attire is a seriously unserious sassy t-shirt that reads: “Rihanna concert interrupted by a football game, weird but whatever.”
Celebrity Statements On Rihanna’s Halftime Performance
(Statements per The Hollywood Reporter)
“We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage,” Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music, shared in statement. “Rihanna is a once-in-a-generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career. We look forward to collaborating with Rihanna, Roc Nation and Apple Music to bring fans another historic Halftime Show performance.”
“Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn. A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment,” Jay-Z said in a statement. The legendary musician previously signed a deal with the NFL to head the league’s musical entertainment.
“Rihanna is an incredible recording artist who is a favorite for many millions of Apple Music customers around the world,” Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats, said. “We’re excited to partner with Rihanna, Roc Nation and the NFL to bring music and sports fans a momentous show — what an incredible artist for the inaugural Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.”
Are you excited for Rihanna’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LVII? Make sure to watch it on FOX or the NFL+ app on February 12!
