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’
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!
Chris Stapleton delights fans with national anthem
Viewers absolutely loved Chris Stapleton’s performance of the National Anthem, with some calling it their favourite rendition since Whitney Houston’s famous 1991 version.
Bradley Cooper teased by his mother in ‘hilarious’ Super Bowl commercial
Bradley Cooper has starred alongside his mother, Gloria Campano, in an “organic and entertaining” commercial for Super Bowl 2023.
The mother and son duo were enlisted by T-Mobile to promote the phone company’s 5G service ahead of Super Bowl LVII tonight.
In the “hilarious” ad, the 48-year-old actor is seen trying to coach his mother through her lines, but the two couldn’t keep a straight face and cracked up in the process.
Watch it here:
Bradley Cooper teased by his mother in ‘hilarious’ Super Bowl commercial
Even Bradley Cooper couldn’t avoid being teased by his mother, Gloria Campano, in T-Mobile’s 2023 Super Bowl ad
Adele among celebrity audience members waiting to see Rihanna’s halftime show
Adele has been spotted in the audience after previously saying she was “going just for Rihanna... I don’t give a flying f***”.
The British artist is among a number of celebrities spotted in the audience, along with Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper and LeBron James.
Fans in awe of Troy Kotsur’s national anthem sign language performance
CODA star Troy Kotsur performed the national anthem alongside Chris Stapleton ahead of Super Bowl LVII on Sunday (12 February).
Kotsur made history at the 94th Academy Awards last April by becoming the first-ever deaf male to win an acting Oscar.
The actor was back in his home state of Arizona for the sporting event to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” in American Sign Language (ASL).
Full story:
Viewers in awe of Troy Kotsur sign language performance of national anthem
‘CODA’ actor took part in the national anthem performance ahead of Rihanna’s halftime show
Cher spotted in the audience!
Cher is here with her boyfriend, music producer Alexander Edwards.
Her fans are very into this relationship: Cher has 40 years on Edwards, who is 36. The pop star confirmed their relationship in November last year and from the looks of it, things are still going well!
The best – and worst – Super Bowl 2023 ads so far
Super Bowl LVII will take place on Sunday 12 February
Super Bowl halftime show alumnus Katy Perry sends message to Rihanna ahead of performance
A nice message from Katy Perry, who headlined the Super Bowl in 2015, in support of RiRi tonight.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck star in brilliant Dunkin Donuts commercial
2022 Super Bowl halftime show star Jennifer Lopez made her 2023 Super Bowl debut in a commercial with husband Ben Affleck.
On Sunday 12 February, the singer appeared in an ad for Dunkin’ alongside Affleck.
In the amusing clip, the Batman star could be seen taking drive-thru orders at a Dunkin’ store when Lopez pulled up.
“What are you doing here?” Lopez asked, after she pulled up to the drive-thru window in her car. “Is this what you do when you say you’re going to work all day?”
After he’s spotted by his wife, Affleck could be heard telling Lopez that she was “embarrassing [him] in front of his friends,” before telling his coworkers that he’d be leaving. “I’ve gotta go guys,” the actor said.
Full story here:
‘Favourite commercial so far’: JLo makes cameo in Ben Affleck’s Super Bowl ad
‘Grab me a glazed,’ Lopez tells her husband as he works the drive-thru
Rihanna had trouble putting a setlist together, and who can blame her?
I don’t even want to think about the struggle Rihanna must have gone through trying to put together a medley for her Super Bowl halftime show performance.
Ahead of tonight’s show, the Barbadian star admitted she had about 39 different versions of the setlist.
“The setlist was the biggest challenge,” she said. “That was the hardest, hardest part, deciding how to maximise 13 minutes... That’s what this show is going to be, it’s going to be a celebration of my catalogue in the best way that we could have put it together.”
What do you think we’re going to hear?
Rihanna has around ‘39 versions’ of her Super Bowl halftime setlist
‘You’re trying to cram 17 years of work into 13 minutes,’ said the singer of her forthcoming performance
Rihanna’s partner A$AP Rocky to make a cameo?
Personally I’m expecting A$AP Rocky to, well, rock up, during Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show.
The couple have been supportive of each other’s careers even before they became involved romantically, while Rihanna appeared in A$APs music video for “DMB” in 2022.
Riri also appeared in A$AP’s video for his 2013 single “Fashion Killa”.
Check out a timeline of their relationship, from friends to soulmates!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments