NFL announces Rihanna as 2023 Super Bowl halftime show headliner

After rumors ran rampant of Taylor Swift headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, Super Bowl LVII will have a new name performing — Rihanna has been tabbed for the honor, the NFL announced on Sunday.

The global superstar confirmed the suspicions via Instagram, posting a photo of a football on her feed. After the anticipation reached a zenith, it was revealed the architect of ANTI was chosen to perform in Arizona next February.

In the past, it’s been reported that the NFL has been trying to bring Rihanna onboard for the Super Bowl halftime show for many years, but the performer has repeatedly turned them down, citing the treatment of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the reason why.

“I couldn’t dare do that. For what? Who gains from that? Not my people. I just couldn’t be a sellout. I couldn’t be an enabler,” Rihanna told Vogue, back in October 2019. “There’s things within that organization that I do not agree with at all, and I was not about to go and be of service to them in any way.”

Evidently, something changed ahead of Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, as Rihanna will make the show her own in 2023.

Full NFL Press Release:

Here’s the full NFL press release pertaining to Rihanna being announced as the headliner of the Super Bowl Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVII.

“Today Apple Music, the NFL and Roc Nation announce international icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist Rihanna will take center stage at State Farm Stadium for the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVII, on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show telecast will be produced by DPS with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers, and Hamish Hamilton serving as director. Roc Nation is also serving as the strategic entertainment advisors of the live 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,’ said Shawn ‘JAY-Z’ Carter. 

‘We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage,’ said Seth Dudowsky, NFL Head of Music. ‘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 an incredible recording artist who is a favorite for many millions of Apple Music customers around the world,’ said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats. ‘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.'”