The news comes after the pop star shared an image of her hand holding an NFL football on Instagram against a stark white background. NFL also tweeted the same picture sparking speculation that the singer would be the halftime performer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rihanna to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage,” the NFL’s head of music, Seth Dudowsky, said in the announcement. “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.”
After the NFL announced on Sunday, Jay-Z, whose entertainment agency Roc Nation is one of several executive producers on the halftime show, said Rihanna is “ a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn.”
Jay-Z added: “A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.”
“Rihanna is an incredible recording artist who is a favorite for many millions of Apple Music customers around the world,” Apple’s Oliver Schusser also stated. “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.”
As opposed to the previous shows since 2013 sponsored by Pepsi, the upcoming Super Bowl will feature the first halftime show sponsored by Apple Music.
In 2019, Rihanna turned down the chance to perform in the Super Bowl halftime show in Atlanta because of how Colin Kaepernick had been treated.
The Grammy-winning singer confirmed to Vogue in October 2019 that she declined to perform in the SuperBowl halftime to show solidarity with the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick ignited a huge debate after kneeling during a pregame national anthem protesting social inequality and police brutality in 2016.
“I couldn’t dare do that. For what? Who gains from that? Not my people. Rihanna told the magazine. “I just couldn’t be a sellout. I couldn’t be an enabler. There are 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.”
Rihanna is one of the best-selling female artists globally. She holds an incredible sales record of more than 250 million worldwide. Her last album was 2016’s “Anti.” The singer last performed publicly in 2018 at the Grammy Awards.
The Super Bowl will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz, on 12 February 2023.
Other halftime performers in the last decade include Jennifer Lopez, The Weekend, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Shakira, Coldplay, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars.
The 2022 halftime show featured several performers, including Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg, plus surprise cameos from Anderson and 50 Cent.