The 2023 super bowl halftime show was unlike any other. Rihanna, 33 time Grammy nominee, performed in front of the country, much to her fans’ delight. This performance marks Rihanna’s first public performance since the 2018 Grammys with DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts”. Having not performed in five years to then perform at the super bowl further emphasizes Rihanna’s considerable influence. 

While she hasn’t sung publicly, Rihanna has been very busy over the past five years. She has been an active spokesperson throughout her entire career, but it has been more evident now. She introduced herself as an entrepreneur and released her cosmetic line, Fenty Beauty, in 2017. She then released her lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, in 2018 and her skincare line, Fenty Skin, in 2020. In addition, she became an ambassador of Barbados in 2018; the country where she was born.

Rihanna’s contributions to the beauty industry as well as her involvement in politics demonstrate her heavy involvement. Although her supporters are aware of her contributions, they still hope for the artist to return back to the music industry. Her performance at the 2023 super bowl highlights the level of support she will always have no matter what career path she chooses.

In her super bowl performance, Rihanna sang 12 songs dressed in a red futuristic outfit with her dancers wearing all white. Her outfit was custom-made by LOEWE where she revealed her growing baby bump. She was seen caressing her stomach throughout the entire performance but formally revealed her pregnancy through her representative confirming it after she ended her 13-minute set. She managed to create an outstanding performance all while pregnant. Regardless of her next step, Rihanna’s fans will forever remain Navy’s.