Rihanna played zero games today (Feb. 12) when she hit the stage for her Super Bowl halftime show! From the minute the lights came up and the beat to “B**tch Better Have My Money” dropped, it was obvious that she was here to remind us all that “you needed me.”
The singer was clad in a red ‘fit and an oversized coat that camouflaged her midsection as she played up the use of lights throughout her set, leaving fans to question if her special guest was hiding in plain sight: Baby No. 2.
The performance was dubbed the “Fenty Bowl,” rightfully so, by the singer’s loyal fanbase, the Navy. For someone who had not stepped foot on a stage to perform in seven years, Rihanna breezed through hit after hit without missing a beat. The mini concert — because, let’s be honest, that was more than a 13-minute break that just happened to take place on the most-watched game day of the football season — featured some of the beauty mogul’s most successful records.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Rihanna teased that she was considering bringing out a special guest. Fans speculated that it could be anyone from JAY-Z, Kanye West, Drake, T.I., Jeezy or superproducer Pharrell. She also revealed that there were 39 variations of the setlist as she and her team worked to create the perfect flow of records to showcase her successful music career.
In the end, the halftime show tracklist included chart-toppers such as “Where Have You Been,” “Only Girl in the World,” “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Wild Thoughts” and more. And, well, that special guest was only up for debate for a few minutes as her rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she is indeed expecting.
The Fenty founder was asked to headline the halftime show in 2018 but ultimately turned down the opportunity. “It feels like it could have only been now,” said Rihanna during a pre-Super Bowl press conference. The Grammy Award-winner said her son played a part in her decision to accept the challenge of delivering a world-class show in front of millions of viewers.
The Bajan artist explained, “When you become a mom, there’s something that just happens where you feel like you can take on the world… I haven’t been on stage in seven years. There’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all. It’s important for me to do this this year. It’s important for representation. It’s important for my son to see that.”
It looks like fans will be waiting for more than just new music after all!
Rihanna is pregnant omggg
— chomzz (@chomzz__) February 13, 2023
I thought Rihanna was going to pull a Beyoncé and tell us she’s pregnant 😩.
— Karina 🤎 (@KValerieH) February 13, 2023
rihanna is pregnant. pic.twitter.com/HzRSZcgy7s
— inkigayo sandwich🏴☠️ (@yangyangstwin) February 13, 2023
Rihanna pregnant again???!?!??!!!
— N’DEYA (@ndeyaofficial) February 13, 2023
She definitely pregnant right ? She still killed it ! #Rihanna #SuperBowl #SuperBowl2023 #rihannapregnant ? @balleralert pic.twitter.com/WrXgdeI035
— Julian J (@officialjulianj) February 13, 2023
Not my mom tryna say Rihanna still got baby fat and I’m like ummm, she look like she pregnant again. Knew I could come to Twitter for the news lol. Baby #2 coming before y’all getting that album
— Kelly 👑 (@xoxokellyqueen) February 13, 2023
After the half time show all I have to say is… is Rihanna pregnant again?
— Nick Ordich (@NickO_Drums18) February 13, 2023
Not my boyfriend saying Rihanna pregnant again Lmaoo let my good sis live with her thick self
— S A R A I 😈🥵 (@sarai_honeyy) February 13, 2023
*Everyone on the TL*
“Is Rihanna pregnant!?”
Rihanna: pic.twitter.com/ye6V7eqKWs
— BrothaGenesis 🎬 (@BrothaGenesis) February 13, 2023
Rihanna definitely pregnant I love that for her she looked so pretty and happy❤️🥰
— forever 🦄✨ (@ForeverLashawn) February 13, 2023
Is Rihanna telling us she is pregnant?
— Don Fowl (@Don_Raheem) February 13, 2023
the whole timeline afraid to ask if Rihanna is pregnant pic.twitter.com/KGQEhItzqx
— Ira (@iramadisonthree) February 13, 2023
I was watching the Super Bowl trying to give Rihanna the benefit of the doubt like “she just had a baby, she just hasn’t lost the baby belly yet” & now I’m like “…wait a second… Rih…YOU PREGNANT AGAIN?! IS THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WAS TEASED?! OMFG SHE’S PREG AGAIN 😭” LOL
— TheChosenRose (@TheChosen_Rose) February 13, 2023
RihannnaaaAAa I like how u tried to hide that bump bby #Rihannapregnant pic.twitter.com/vH29PSmVME
— Yaya (@Yaya41133499) February 13, 2023
Me trying to ascertain if Rihanna is pregnant or not. pic.twitter.com/6ajenEkmIV
— Cardi B Jamaica | Fan Account 🇯🇲 (@CardiJamaica) February 13, 2023