The NFL has announced that Rihanna will perform at the next Super Bowl halftime show. It will be Rihanna’s first major live performance in many years.
The award-winning popstar will perform at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in February, according to the NFL.
The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show was the original moniker of the event, but Apple Music officially took over as sponsor on Friday.
The 34-year-old singer shared a photo of her hand holding an American football on Instagram and Twitter.
Soon afterwards it was reposted by her record label, Roc Nation, the NFL and Apple Music, which confirmed the news in a tweet.
Apple Music said: “It’s ON. Rihanna will take the stage for the first ever Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show on 2.12.23.”
Shortly after the announcement, a number of celebrities congratulated Rihanna on her news in comments on her Instagram post.
Singer Lizzo responded: “Screaming” while rapper Nadia Rose wrote: “LET’S GOOOOOO RIRI!!!!!!” followed by an American football and a goat emoji.
Stars like 50 Cent, The Weeknd, Shakira, and Jennifer Lopez had previously performed in Super Bowl halftime show.
In support of former US football player Colin Kaepernick, who quit the league two years prior after starting to kneel during the playing of the national anthem in protest of racial inequality in the US, Rihanna decided not to participate in the 2019 Super Bowl halftime performance.
Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, said: “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.”
Seth Dudowsky, NFL head of music, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage.
“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.”
