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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

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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!

Nick Sirianni not out for revenge against Kansas City

Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni insists he is not motivated by revenge as he takes on former team Kansas City – and the man who fired him – in Super Bowl LVII.

Sirianni lost his job as Chiefs wide receivers coach when Andy Reid took charge of the side in 2013.

He now has the chance to get one back on Reid, who is interestingly also a former Eagles head coach, on the grandest stage as their teams meet in Sunday’s NFL showpiece in Glendale, Arizona.

Read on:

Nick Sirianni not out for revenge against Kansas City in Super Bowl

Sirianni lost his job as Chiefs wide receivers coach when Andy Reid took charge of the side in 2013

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 13:15

Voices: Will the Super Bowl fix its sexist commercials this year?

Adele Myers writes:

For every clever, thought-provoking segment, or just plain fun 60-second spot, there’s a sexist ad waiting. Like Victoria’s Secret’s “Let the Real Games Begin” commercial, which imagines women waiting patiently in their lingerie for their own chance at a half-time show. Or Dorito’s “Double-D,” a heavy-handed and sexist ad that could not be more obvious were it aimed at teenage boys.

This is the 57th Super Bowl, and if precedent is anything to go by, the majority of ads are still produced by and for men. Will they finally get it right this year?

Read on:

Will the Super Bowl fix its sexist commercials this year?

For every clever, thought-provoking segment, or just plain fun 60 second spot, there’s a sexist ad waiting

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 14:15

A hotly anticipated return for Rihanna

Rihanna is well aware that it’s been over six years since she dropped her last album Anti. 2,190 days to be exact.

All eyes have been on her since it was announced that the Super Bowl will be her return to music.

Inga Parkel reports.

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 15:15

Sibling rivalry brings added drama to Arizona this weekend

Andy Gorel writes:

Everyone loves a good sibling rivalry; there’s something very relatable about it. From Michael Jordan claiming his brother’s dominance over him made him a better player to Liam Gallagher smashing a tambourine over his brother Noel’s head at a gig in 1994, we feel all sorts of ways about our siblings. That’s why Super Bowl LVII will be a particularly fun spectacle to watch.

Read on:

Why this Super Bowl will be one to watch

Super Bowl LVII is making history

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 16:15

Before the big game, it’s Team Ruff v Team Fluff

The most important sporting event of the year is nearly here, and we’re not talking about the Super Bowl.

On Sunday 12 February, Puppy Bowl XIX will return to Animal Planet with two teams full of adoptable puppies.

The annual Puppy Bowl is a sports competition dedicated to raising awareness of shelters across the nation and helping adoptable dogs find their forever home.

Chelsea Ritschel has the latest on this weekend’s other main event.

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 17:15

The key battle that will decide Super Bowl 2023

Patrick Mahomes is targeting a second Super Bowl ring in this Sunday’s delicately balanced game, writes Jack Rathborn.

The key battle that will decide Super Bowl 2023

Mahomes, who claimed a second regular season NFL MVP on Thursday, is targeting a second Super Bowl ring when the Chiefs take on the Eagles in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 18:15

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'Connell11 February 2023 19:15

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'Connell11 February 2023 20:15

Trump attacks ‘no talent’ Rihanna ahead of Super Bowl performance

Donald Trump attacked Rihanna on social media ahead of the pop star and fashion mogul’s upcoming performance at the Super Bowl.

“Without her ‘Stylist’ she’d be NOTHING,” the former president wrote on Truth Social. “Bad everything, and NO TALENT!”

Josh Marcus reports.

Oliver O'Connell11 February 2023 20:45

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'Connell11 February 2023 21:15

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