The superstar’s first live event in seven years featured her biggest hits and none of the flashy costume changes or guest performers of previous Super Bowl appearances.
Pop and R&B superstar Rihanna performed hits from Umbrella to Diamonds as she wowed the Super Bowl halftime crowd in her first live performance in seven years and revealed she is pregnant for the second time.
Dressed in a voluminous red jumpsuit over a tight latex top, Rihanna began the 13-minute show on a platform high above the stage in Glendale, Arizona, with dozens of dancers in white ski suits hanging from separate platforms around her.
The 34-year-old sang her biggest hits without the instant costume changes, stage moves or guest appearances that other performers have used at Super Bowl halftimes.
The theme and color scheme remained the same throughout the set, with red lights illuminating the long stage.
Fireworks went off and lights sparkled from the stands as she was hoisted back into the air by herself and sang Diamonds – with the chorus “shine bright like a diamond” – to mark the end of the set.
Rihanna’s tight outfit hinted at a baby bump and sparked a wave of speculation on social media. After the show ended, Rihanna’s representative confirmed that the singer was pregnant. She gave birth to her first child – with rapper A$AP Rocky – nine months ago.
The Super Bowl is the music industry’s premier showcase and has featured acts including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Prince, Madonna and the Rolling Stones. The broadcast typically draws about 100 million viewers in the United States, with more tuning in from around the world.
DJ Snake and Jason Derulo, whose backup dancers were synchronized robot dogs, performed before kickoff in Arizona.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 to take home their third Super Bowl title.