Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show recap: Pregnant star shines during solo performance - without Jay Z
Rihanna made an electrifying musical comeback at Sunday's Super Bowl, floating on a platform high above the field and belting out her classic hits, all while pregnant with her second child.
A representative for Rihanna confirmed that she was pregnant shortly after she finished her 13-minute set.
The star opened her performance with the songs B-tch Better Have My Money, Where Have You Been and Only Girl (In The World), the stadium erupting in screams and cheers as she took the stage.
The show marks her first live music event in seven years. The 34-year-old singer hasn't released an album since 2016.
"The setlist was the biggest challenge," she said earlier this week.
"That was the hardest, hardest part. Deciding how to maximise 13 minutes but also celebrate, that's what this show is going to be. It's going to be a celebration of my catalog."
Read about her performance as it happened below
03:38 AM
Thanks for following
Our live coverage of the Super Bowl's halftime show and entertainment has come to an end.
You can continue to follow live Super Bowl updates in our sport blog here.
03:32 AM
Rihanna, Super Bowl halftime show review: Star touches down to create memorable comeback
Rihanna paid the Super Bowl a flying visit as she materialised on a glowing platform high above Arizona’s State Farm Stadium at the start of her bombastic halftime set.
The Umbrella singer hadn’t been on stage since a guest appearance alongside DJ Khalid at the 2018 Grammys. But there were no signs of ring rustiness as she arrived in mid-air at the Super Bowl– showcasing a voluminous pink dress and an impressive head for heights.
The performance that followed was a breathless run through her hits. It also doubled as a reminder of her potency as a pop star. The world might need its memory jogged. It's seven years since Rihanna’s last album – one-third of the lifespan of singer Billie Eilish, one of many celebrities watching on.
Read the full review of Rihanna's halftime show by Ed Power here
03:26 AM
Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions
Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to a dramatic 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles to claim their second Super Bowl in four years.
You can continue to follow our live coverage here.
03:10 AM
Ezra Miller teams up with two Batmans in The Flash Super Bowl trailer
Ezra Miller teamed up with Batman in the latest official trailer for DC blockbuster The Flash, which debuted during the Super Bowl.
The actor will reprise his role of the DC superhero in the upcoming film, which is due to hit cinemas on June 16.
The latest trailer also features appearances from Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton, both of whom have starred as Batman previously.
It sees Barry Allen (Miller) run afoul of the multiverse, before bumping into an alternate version of himself and the two caped crusaders.
"You can go anywhere; another timeline, another universe, so why do you want to stay and fight to save this one?" Keaton is heard to ask Miller.
"Because this is the one where my mum lives. I'm not going to lose her again," Miller replies.
On June 16, worlds collide. Watch the official trailer now for The Flash – only in theaters. #TheFlashMoviepic.twitter.com/RPViFPW8HT
— MOVIE HERALD (@movieherald) February 13, 2023
02:57 AM
Rihanna's performance gains 'fantastic' reviews
Fantastic half time show, @rihanna!!!!
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) February 13, 2023
WOW! #RIHANNA WHAT BALLS!! That was fantastic!! Thank you to ever who made that spectacular 1/2 Time Show JUST FANTASTIC! How did they do that??
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) February 13, 2023
02:51 AM
A$AP Rocky spotted watching partner Rihanna's performance
A$AP Rocky watching Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance ❤️#SuperBowl #Rihanna pic.twitter.com/N0O2JTQNWX
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 13, 2023
02:42 AM
Rihanna pregnant with second child, representative confirms
A representative for Rihanna has confirmed the star performed the Super Bowl halftime show while pregnant with her second child.
The star sparked speculation online after she appeared to stroke her stomach on stage.
Rihanna previously hinted that the performance would be a family affair, saying that it was "important" for her son to watch it.
In a separate interview with Total Access NFL, she said she was "thinking about bringing someone".
Following her performance, a representative for the star confirmed her baby news.
Read the full story here
02:31 AM
Model Cara Delevingne shows her support for Rihanna
02:22 AM
Pre-show celebrity love for Rihanna
sending you all the love. you got this @rihanna ♥️🏈 #SuperBowlLVII
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) February 13, 2023
02:20 AM
Stadium lights up in 'sea of diamonds' as firework spectacular wows
The stadium looked like a sea of 'diamond's when Rihanna sang her hit "Diamonds" from her seventh studio album, Unapologetic.
An impressive firework display also followed.
02:11 AM
As it happened: Rihanna's full halftime show set list
Rihanna's #SuperBowl Halftime Show set list:
Bitch Better Have My Money
Where Have You Been
Only Girl (In the World)
We Found Love
Rude Boy
Work
Wild Thoughts
Pour It Up
All of the Lights
Run This Town
Umbrella
Diamonds
There were no surprise guests.pic.twitter.com/ggkaXFQU1P— Spin or Bin Music (@spinorbinmusic) February 13, 2023
02:08 AM
Watch: Rihanna makes musical comeback
rihanna opening the show with ‘bitch better have my money’ 🔥 #superbowl pic.twitter.com/xsvtNVxIRq
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) February 13, 2023
02:05 AM
In pictures: Rihanna rocks the halftime stage
01:53 AM
Second half of the game begins
The second half of the game has begun - follow all the updates live in our sport blog.
01:47 AM
Rihanna shines solo - without Jay Z
Rihanna belted out her classic hits during her 13-minute live performance solo, but she did not unveil any new music.
She wore a puffy, bright red jumpsuit as she stood on a transparent square that moved her up and down as she hovered in the air over the turf at State Farm Stadium and belted out the lyrics to "B-tch Better Have My Money."
Dancers wearing what looked like white ski suits moved in sync on their own suspended platforms and several danced on a stage on the field. Fireworks went off outside the stadium throughout her set.
She and her dancers were lowered to stage that matched her outfit, and moved in sync as she sped through two other hits, "Where Have You Been," and "Only Girl," belting out "Want you to make me feel like I'm the only girl in the world."
01:37 AM
Rihanna takes the stage in halftime show
Rihanna opened her halftime show with B-tch Better Have My Money, followed by Where Have You Been and Only Girl (In The World).
The stadium erupted in screams and cheers as the star took the stage.
01:28 AM
Serena Williams, Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell star in ads
GM and Netflix enlisted Will Ferrell to tout their deal to show more electric vehicles in Netflix shows.
Melissa McCarthy sings a jingle for Booking.com.
Pepsi Zero Sugar hired Ben Stiller and Steve Martin. Avocados From Mexico enlists Anna Faris for one of the few slightly risque ads this year that envisions a present where everyone is naked, including the Statue of Liberty.
Tennis star Serena Williams stars in two ads: one for Michelob Ultra and one for Remy Martin.
That’s a team, ladies and gentlemen. #TeamUpForExcellence @SerenaWilliams#BigGame #InchByInch #GOAT pic.twitter.com/2134S0gEYN
— Rémy Martin Cognac US (@remymartinUS) February 13, 2023
01:21 AM
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez feature in Dunkin' Donuts
In its first Super Bowl ad, Dunkin' Donuts enlisted superfan Ben Affleck and wife Jennifer Lopez.
In the ad, Affleck mans the drive-through booth at a Dunkin' Donuts in Medford, Massachusetts with a Boston accent and shocks customers. Lopez comes through the drive-through and asks him what he's doing.
"You're embarrassing me in front of my friends," he says. "Grab me a glazed," she demands. Affleck has a long association with the brand, and is often spotted carrying Dunkin' Donuts drinks in paparazzi photos. He also directed the ad.
Ben Affleck works at Dunkin’ Donuts in a new #SuperBowl ad pic.twitter.com/aFyVoqkJl1
— Lights, Camera, Barstool (@LightsCameraPod) February 12, 2023
12:58 AM
Doja Cat, John Travolta, Ben Affleck star in Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is advertising's biggest, glitziest stage. Big name advertisers from Netflix to Google paid as much as $7 million for a 30-second spot during the game tonight, seeking to capture the attention of the roughly 100 million viewers who tune in each year.
To get the most out of those millions, many advertisers released their ads days ahead of the big game to maximise publicity.
In one ad, John Travolta and "Scrubs" stars Donald Faison and Zach Braff sing a T-Mobile themed version of "Summer Nights" from Grease.
Adam Driver creates multiple versions of himself for Squarespace, and Alicia Silverstone reprises her Clueless character for the online shopping site Rakuten.
It's the musical crossover about home internet you never knew you needed. #JohnTravolta @Donald_Faison @ZachBraff pic.twitter.com/UnUOExFC5g
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) February 9, 2023
12:53 AM
Rihanna: It's important for me to perform
Rihanna has declared she is ready to return to the stage despite it being a daunting challenge.
"When you become a mom, there’s something that just happens where you feel like you can take on the world, you can do anything," she said at a press conference on Thursday.
"The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world, so as scary as that was - because I haven’t been on stage in seven years - there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all.
"And it’s important for me to do this year. It’s important for representation. It’s important for my son to see that."
12:44 AM
The celebrities watching the game
A number of A-list celebrities are watching the game tonight, including Jay-Z, who features in multiple popular songs by Rihanna.
Others in attendance include Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd and singing sensations Adele and Billie Eilish, as well as Paul McCartney and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
Cooper, wearing an Eagles T-shirt, celebrated from the stands as his team put the game's first points on the board. Another famous Philly fan, Kevin Hart, wearing a jersey, stood and flapped his arms.
12:39 AM
Shakira sends Rihanna support ahead of show
Shakira, 2021's halftime star, is among the celebrities who have sent Rihanna a message of support ahead of her live performance.
Remembering good times and wishing you the best vibes for tonight’s show, Rih! 🥰 @rihanna #SBLVII #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/RjJnVggj7y
— Shakira (@shakira) February 12, 2023
12:36 AM
What you can expect from Rihanna's live performance
Rihanna has kept the contents of her live performance under tight wraps.
However, a trailer produced by Apple Music titled 'Rihanna is Back' hypes up the singer's big return to music, as the performance will be her first show in seven years.
There is a very strong possibility that Rihanna will perform new music. She is also keeping potential collaborators - stars who might join her on stage - a secret.
Rihanna told Entertainment Tonight: “I just want to celebrate the music that I’ve made.”
12:13 AM
Welcome to the Super Bowl halftime blog
We will be bringing you all the action and entertainment from halftime, including a highly-anticipated live performance from Rihanna.
Plus, all the key celebrity ads and brand new trailers unveiled.