The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event in the United States, drawing over 100 million viewers each year. Super Bowl 57 will take place on February 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. One of the most anticipated parts of the Super Bowl is the halftime show, where some of the biggest music stars in the world perform. So who will be singing at the Super Bowl 57 halftime show?
Rihanna is headlining the Super Bowl 57 halftime show
In September 2022, the NFL announced that global superstar Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl 57 halftime show. This marks Rihanna’s first live performance since 2018. At just 34 years old, Rihanna will become the youngest solo performer to headline a Super Bowl halftime show.
Rihanna expressed excitement about the upcoming performance, saying in a statement “I’m looking forward to this year’s Super Bowl halftime show performance. I can’t wait to bring it to the Super Bowl stage and share this moment with the world.”
The Barbadian singer is one of the most influential and successful artists of all time. Since releasing her first album in 2005, Rihanna has sold over 250 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists ever. She has earned 14 number one Billboard Hot 100 hits, including massive smashes like “Umbrella,” “We Found Love,” and “Work.”
Rihanna is also a prominent businesswoman and philanthropist. She founded the cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty in 2017, which has revolutionized the makeup industry. In 2012, she founded the Clara Lionel Foundation to support education and emergency response programs around the world.
With her combination of chart-topping music and cultural influence, Rihanna is sure to put on an unforgettable performance at Super Bowl 57.
Past Super Bowl halftime show performers
The Super Bowl halftime show has featured some of the biggest names in music over the years. Here is a look back at who has performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in the last decade:
| Year | Performer(s) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar |
| 2021 | The Weeknd |
| 2020 | Shakira and Jennifer Lopez |
| 2019 | Maroon 5, Big Boi, Travis Scott |
| 2018 | Justin Timberlake |
| 2017 | Lady Gaga |
| 2016 | Coldplay, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars |
| 2015 | Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott |
| 2014 | Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers |
| 2013 | Beyoncé |
Some all-time legendary Super Bowl halftime show performances include Michael Jackson in 1993, U2 in 2002, Prince in 2007, and Bruce Springsteen in 2009.
While the NFL keeps the halftime show performers secret until a few months before the big game, rumors always swirl ahead of time about who could take the stage. The Weeknd first leaked his 2021 performance weeks before the NFL announced it. Other rumored artists for 2023 included Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, and Harry Styles. But in the end, Rihanna emerged as the performer.
The impact of a Super Bowl halftime show
Doing a halftime show at the Super Bowl is considered one of the biggest honors and most high-profile gigs in music. The exposure is unmatched: in 2022, over 120 million people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl halftime show with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.
Recent halftime show performances have also led to massive streaming spikes for the artists. Streams of The Weeknd’s music catalog increased by 385% after his 2021 show. Jennifer Lopez saw a 1000% increase in YouTube views for some of her top music videos after her 2020 performance.
Artists also time new releases and announcements around their Super Bowl show. The Weeknd released a greatest hits album right after his performance. Jennifer Lopez announced a new world tour starting in June 2023 shortly after her halftime gig. Fans can likely expect Rihanna to drop new music or fashion in conjunction with Super Bowl Sunday.
The Super Bowl halftime show has also become a platform for making social and political statements. Beyoncé brought Black Lives Matter activists on stage with her in 2016. Jennifer Lopez had children in illuminated cages around her in 2020, bringing attention to immigration detention facilities at the U.S.-Mexico border. With a massive worldwide audience, the Super Bowl halftime show gives artists a prime opportunity to use their voice.
Musical guests and surprises
While Rihanna is the sole headlining act announced so far, some other surprise guests could join her on stage. Previous halftime show headliners have often collaborated with other artists for part of their performance:
| Year | Main Performer | Guest Performers |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dr. Dre | Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent |
| 2021 | The Weeknd | None |
| 2020 | Jennifer Lopez | Shakira |
| 2019 | Maroon 5 | Big Boi, Travis Scott |
| 2018 | Justin Timberlake | *NSYNC (surprise) |
Rihanna has many famous collaborators she could potentially bring out, such as Drake, Eminem, Calvin Harris, or Jay-Z. She could also showcase some of her many hits as duets, like performing “Umbrella” with Jay-Z or “Love on the Brain” with Eminem.
Surprise guest performers often end up being highlight moments of past Super Bowl halftime shows. Katy Perry had Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz join her in 2015. Lady Gaga performed with Metallica in 2017. And NSYNC reuniting with Justin Timberlake in 2018 shocked and thrilled viewers.
While guest performers aren’t confirmed until showtime, the halftime show never fails to yield buzzworthy surprises. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Rihanna stuns audiences with any unexpected collaborators in Glendale.
Stage design and choreography
Putting on the Super Bowl halftime show is a massive production undertaking. The show’s creative director and their team work for months to bring the performance to life. This includes intricate planning around the stage design, pyrotechnics, lighting, filming, and choreography with dozens of backup dancers.
Recent Super Bowl stages and productions include:
| Year | Stage and Production Highlights |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Full-size house on stage, Dr. Dre piano, Snoop Dogg smoking area, pyrotechnics |
| 2021 | LED skyscraper landscape, masked dancers, lots of pyrotechnics |
| 2020 | Two stages for JLo and Shakira, synchronized pole dancing, fireworks |
| 2019 | Giant “M” stage with fire and lasers, drumline marching band |
| 2018 | Intricate cityscape set design with pyrotechnics and light projections |
Super Bowl halftime shows have massive budgets, reportedly up to $10-15 million in recent years. This allows for incredibly elaborate stages and effects. Many halftime shows in the past decade have leaned into cinematic, theatrical productions rather than a stripped down music concert.
For Rihanna’s setlist, complex choreography with dozens of backup dancers will likely be a key component. She is famous for high-energy, visually stunning productions on tour and at awards shows. Fans can expect a halftime show packed with costume changes, intricate dance numbers, pyrotechnics, and state-of-the-art lighting and projections around the theme of her music. Rihanna and her creative team will look to deliver a visually groundbreaking halftime show performance that wows over 100 million viewers.
Setlist possibilities
With over 50 Billboard Hot 100 hits, Rihanna has countless options for what songs she could perform during her Super Bowl halftime show. While the full setlist likely won’t be confirmed until showtime, here are some of the Rihanna songs that would make sense for her big Super Bowl moment:
| Song | Release Year |
|---|---|
| “Umbrella” | 2007 |
| “Don’t Stop the Music” | 2007 |
| “Rude Boy” | 2009 |
| “Only Girl (In the World)” | 2010 |
| “We Found Love” | 2011 |
| “Diamonds” | 2012 |
| “Stay” | 2012 |
| “Bitch Better Have My Money” | 2015 |
| “Work” | 2016 |
| “Love on the Brain” | 2016 |
| “Wild Thoughts” | 2017 |
| “This Is What You Came For” | 2016 |
Rihanna has so many iconic hits that narrowing down a 13-minute setlist will be the biggest challenge. She will likely aim to cover her entire discography, including newer songs from her last album ANTI along with throwbacks like “Umbrella” and “We Found Love.” While the full setlist won’t be revealed ahead of time, one thing is for sure: Rihanna’s 2023 halftime show will be an absolutely unforgettable spectacle packed with smash hits.
Conclusion
Rihanna is one of the most talented, influential, and vibrant artists in modern music history. After years away from live performing, she is sure to deliver an electrifying Super Bowl halftime show like no other. Her iconic singing, show-stopping dance skills, stellar production, and endless hit songs make her the perfect choice to follow up epic recent halftime shows from The Weeknd, Shakira and JLo.
The pressure is high, but all eyes are on Rihanna to provide a memorable night for the ages on one of music’s biggest stages. Her upcoming Super Bowl performance will add to the legendary history of iconic halftime show moments like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Beyoncé. Rihanna has what it takes to join the pantheon of all-time great Super Bowl halftime performances when she undoubtedly lights up State Farm Stadium.