Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Super Bowl halftime show : Pregnant Rihanna admits ‘no updates’ on plans for new music as fans reel

Pop star delivered a mesmerising performance of hits including ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Only Girl in the World’

Super Bowl 2023: Everything you need to know about the game

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rihanna put on a spectacular performance for the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The nine-time Grammy winner made her return to live music after a five-year hiatus at the US event, performing hits including “Diamonds”, “Only Girl in the World” and “B**** Better Have My Money”. A representative confirmed the singer is pregnant with her second child soon after the performance.

In an interview with Good Morning America ahead of her iconic show, she told host Michael Strahan that she’s “excited to actually put new music out”.

However, she admitted that she doesn’t have “any updates” to give at the moment.

Country star Chris Stapleton opened proceedings by performing the national anthem, which has earned praise from fans online. Viewers were also wowed by actor Troy Kotsur’s sign language performance to the national anthem.

Other performances include Babyface singing “America The Beautiful” and Sheryl Lee Ralph giving her rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

And it wouldn’t be the Super Bowl without brands vying for consumer attention with memorable, star-studded ads.

Some 100 million people are expected to watch the spectacle in the US alone.

Follow along below!

‘Marine-style hazing’, poverty wages and lifelong injuries

The life of a professional cheerleader looks glamorous, but it is often demanding, dangerous, and demeaning, writes Holly Baxter.

‘Marine-style hazing’ and lifelong injuries: The sad, secret life of cheerleaders

Though it looks glamorous, the life of a professional cheerleader for the NFL or NBA is often demanding, dangerous and demeaning. Holly Baxter reports on the experiences of the lowest-paid people on the field

Oliver O'Connell10 February 2023 20:30

Fox cancels — then un-cancels — Joe Biden’s pre-Super Bowl interview

Executives at the parent company of Fox News have reportedly reversed the decision to cancel a planned broadcast an interview with President Joe Biden on a Fox-owned channel targeted at Black audiences.

According to The Daily Beast, a Fox Corp spokesperson said late Friday that the company’s Fox Soul network “looks forward to interviewing the President for Super Bowl Sunday”.

Andrew Feinberg, The Independent’s White House correspondent, reports from Washington, DC.

Fox cancels — then un-cancels — Biden Super Bowl interview

Fox executives appear to have reversed the decision to nix a planned interview of Mr Biden by Fox Soul, a streaming channel targeted at Black viewers

Oliver O'Connell10 February 2023 20:57

Super Bowl 2023: The best and worst of the ads so far

From a PopCorners campaign featuring Bryan Cranston as his Breaking Bad character Walter White to a Doritos love triangle featuring Jack Harlow, these are some of the best – and worst – Super Bowl ads this year, so far.

Chelsea Ritschel reviews what we’ve seen up to now.

The best – and worst – Super Bowl 2023 ads so far

Super Bowl LVII will take place on Sunday 12 February

Oliver O'Connell10 February 2023 21:10

Watch: Five of the best ads from Super Bowl 2022

Super Bowl 2022: Five of the best commercials
Oliver O'Connell10 February 2023 21:20

Sheryl Lee Ralph to sing Black national anthem

Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph will be singing what has become known as the Black national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The actor made headlines in September after singing during her Emmys acceptance speech, where she won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as a teacher in Quinta Brunson’s hit mockumentary.

Now, Ralph will be showing off her vocal skills again at the biggest event in American football, with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

Ellie Harrison reports.

Abbott Elementary’s Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing Black national anthem at Super Bowl

Rihanna is headlining the halftime show at the biggest event in American football

Oliver O'Connell10 February 2023 21:45

Super Bowl 2023 predictions — all the odds and the latest tips

The Independent’s Jack Rathborn runs through everything you need to know about betting on the Super Bowl LVII:

Super Bowl odds, latest tips and predictions

From the pre-game coin toss and the action on the field to the colour of the Gatorade shower, the Super Bowl now has more betting markets than ever before

Oliver O'Connell10 February 2023 22:30

Voices: Here’s what you need to know before you bet on the Super Bowl

Meredith K Ginley, who studies gamblers, writes:

Gambling has become ever-present in our lives. Sports betting, particularly on major games like the Super Bowl, has become the topic of much debate (and hand-wringing). The American Gaming Association estimates 50.4 million people will legally wager $16 billion on this one game alone. Has the combination of easy-to-access sport betting apps, a flood of gambling ads, and the excitement of the Super Bowl essentially created the perfect storm? As a member of a team of research psychologists dedicated to understanding gambling harms and how to treat them, let’s take a closer look at this issue.

Read on:

I study gamblers. Here’s what you need to know before you bet on the Super Bowl

Has the combination of easy-to-access sport betting apps, a flood of gambling ads, and the excitement of the Super Bowl essentially created the perfect storm?

Oliver O'Connell10 February 2023 23:15

She’s about to command the most-watched stage in the world — what are Rihanna’s politics?

In a career spanning nearly two decades and at least five industries, Rihanna has not shied from wielding her political influence. Io Dodds takes a look at the issues on which the 34-year-old singer, actor, and fashion designer, has spoken out about.

From a Super Bowl boycott to Johnny Depp: What are Rihanna’s politics?

From tangling with the NFL over racial injustice to backing farmers’ protests in India, the Barbadian pop icon has expressed solidarity with marginalised people around the world, Io Dodds writes

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 00:15

Watch: Who’s going to win the Super Bowl?

The Independent’s Jack Rathborn answers your questions about which team might come out on top on Sunday.

Who’s going to win Super Bowl 57? | You Ask the Questions

The Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57 on Sunday 12 February, as the NFL playoffs come to a thrilling conclusion. It promises to be a fascinating match to follow the drama of the Los Angeles Rams edging out the Bengals last year at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Independent’s Jack Rathborn answers your questions on MVP odds and which team is expected to take home the Lombardi Trophy. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 01:15

How Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts exceeded lofty expectations to reach Super Bowl

After a breakout regular season, Jalen Hurts is set for his first Super Bowl appearance as he leads the Philadelphia Eagles against the Kansas City Chiefs.

In his second full season as the starter in Philadelphia, the former Alabama and Oklahoma college star guided the Eagles to the NFL’s best record in 2022.

In games started by Hurts, the Eagles went 14-1 during the regular season, and have beaten the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers to set up Sunday’s decider in Super Bowl 57 against the Chiefs.

Harry Latham-Coyle profiles the Eagles’ quarterback.

How Jalen Hurts exceeded lofty Eagles expectations to reach Super Bowl

The emerging star led the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFL’s best record in the 2022 season

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 02:15

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in