After five years away, fans got Rihanna for 13 minutes on Sunday.
Rihanna was tapped as the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show artist in September, giving fans a pause in the Chiefs-Eagles action to reintroduce herself to the world. And reintroduce herself she did.
It was a memorable show that was met with some praise, featuring some anti-gravity performances and an all-hits playlist that thrilled viewers. What made Rihanna’s performance all the more special? She’s actually pregnant with her second child. That’s the stuff of Super Bowl legend.
Rihanna last performed live in January 2018, and hasn’t released a new album since 2016, so to say that her performance on Sunday during Super Bowl 57 is highly anticipated seems to bit a bit of an understatement. Rihanna, obviously, knows this as well, leading to an ample amount of research ahead of Sunday.
The superstar said on Feb. 8 that she had 39 different potential setlists for this Sunday’s performance, certainly lending to endless possibilities when she hits the stage.
MORE: Watch Super Bowl 57 live with fuboTV (free trial)
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Rihanna. Follow below for our reviews during halftime of Super Bowl 57.
(All times are Eastern.)
Super Bowl 2023 halftime show reviews
Plenty of people who tuned in got in some thoughts on Rihanna’s solo performance:
Rihanna had a bigger security detail than @POTUS
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) February 13, 2023
Hits after hits, Rihanna bowl really didn’t disappoint ?❤️
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) February 13, 2023
Rihanna tonight pic.twitter.com/LQ9m7Deh2S
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 13, 2023
Rihanna didn’t bring out nobody she said I haven’t been seen in 7 years this my moment ?
— CARLOS HAHA DAVIS (@HaHaDavis) February 13, 2023
Loved Rihanna paying homage. pic.twitter.com/n8vAy0qh9Y
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) February 13, 2023
Rihanna is a baller. That was fantastic.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2023
Watching Rihanna perform Umbrella pic.twitter.com/mmJdIdCvb1
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 13, 2023
Rihanna wins
— kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) February 13, 2023
Super Bowl 2023 halftime show live updates
8:41 p.m.: And the show finishes with Rihanna on a floating platform.
LIKE DIAMONDS IN THE SKY ? @rihanna pic.twitter.com/DUrGXdWfcE
— ??? ???????? ???? (@sportingnews) February 13, 2023
8:38 p.m.: “Umbrella” is next, and that’s followed by “Diamonds.”
THE VISUALS @rihanna ? pic.twitter.com/xmYL8pniyn
— ??? ???????? ???? (@sportingnews) February 13, 2023
all of the lights is a rihanna song now.
— anthony “light 1” fantano (@theneedledrop) February 13, 2023
8:37 p.m.: “Run This Town” is next.
Remembering good times and wishing you the best vibes for tonight’s show, Rih! ? @rihanna #SBLVII #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/RjJnVggj7y
— Shakira (@shakira) February 12, 2023
8:36 p.m.: “All of the Lights” is up next, but no sign of Kanye West here.
8:34 p.m.: “Wild Thoughts” is next, and “Pour It Up.”
Yes. Yes. Yes. ? @Rihanna #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/1aaU8TOpNQ
— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023
8:32 p.m.: “Rude Boy” is next, followed by “Work.”
8:31 p.m.: Dickie V. is a big Rihanna fan, baby!
Here comes @rihanna baby / should be electrifying!
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 13, 2023
8:30 p.m.: Next is “Only Girl (In The World),” followed quickly by “We Fell In Love.”
SHE’S BAAAACK ? @Rihanna #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/rH2G9r2RSc
— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023
8:29 p.m.: “Where Have You Been” is up next, and the stage comes back to turf.
8:28 p.m.: The halftime show begins with Rihanna on a big floating platform performing “B— Better Have My Money.”
8:25 p.m.: The lights are out. The stage is set.
Rihanna crew building her stage in the commercial break…. pic.twitter.com/dtxbVN7FvZ
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 13, 2023
8:21 p.m.: One commercial break sits between the return of Rihanna and the fans.
8:16 p.m.: It is halftime. Riri is back, y’all.
RIHANNA TIME ☔️ pic.twitter.com/zYMNrxkQ3l
— ??? ???????? ???? (@sportingnews) February 13, 2023
8:13 p.m.: There are 22 seconds left in the half, which means the show is about five minutes out or so.
When is Rihanna coming???? This is taking forever ????
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) February 13, 2023
8:06 p.m.: The Eagles have one final shot to score before the half, but the show is almost here.
Rihanna’s dancers have officially entered the stadium. #SuperBowl
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 13, 2023
8:00 p.m.: Just minutes away from the start of the halftime festivities.
7:54 p.m.: Count Serena among those extremely excited for the halftime show:
The Countdown to @rihanna has begun ??
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 12, 2023
7:17 p.m.: Rihanna fans, we’re sure that you’ll be looking like Nick Sirianni when she takes the stage.
when rihanna starts singing pour it up pic.twitter.com/LGIiJWmSoy
— َ (@angelinIothian) February 12, 2023
MORE: Why Rihanna was chosen for Super Bowl 57 after turning down NFL in 2019
How to watch Rihanna in the Super Bowl 57 halftime show
The Super Bowl 57 halftime show will be broadcast on Fox following the end of the second quarter for Eagles vs. Chiefs. You can stream the 2023 halftime show using the Fox Sports app or with fuboTV, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
