“She is a beast and a whole other level”: Rihanna Confesses She Watched Beyonce’s Video Twice Before Her Superbowl Halftime Show
Music icon Rihanna brought a bang to the stage at the 2023 Super Bowl on February 12 at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium. The Barbadian singer proved that her seven-year absence from music did not dim her musical powers and that she is still one of the finest in the business. Despite her massive fan following that highly anticipated her recent performance for months, the Umbrella singer was nervous before performing at Super Bowl. As a result of the many factors she had to deal with during her seven-year musical hiatus, she was hesitant, focused, and dedicated to her recent performance. However, despite her performance anxiety, she won the fans’ hearts and ignited the stage with her steamy performance on Sunday.
While the Barbadian singer admitted to being nervous and hesitant about performing after a long break, she also revealed in an interview that she studied music legend Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance and was encouraged by her musical aura.
Rihanna Reveals Beyonce’s Old Super Bowl Performances Helped Her Feel Less Nervous
This year, Rihanna marked her return after a seven-year absence from the stage and music with the alleged big news of her second pregnancy on Sunday. While the singer has not confirmed her pregnancy personally, a representative for her confirmed on Sunday that she is expecting her second child with partner A$AP Rocky. Apart from her second pregnancy, the $1.4 billion fortune singer also revealed a shocking factor that relieved her of performance anxiety before her appearance at Super Bowl LVII.
In the latest episode of The Process With Nate Burleson, the Barbadian singer appeared ahead of her performance and discussed her preparation for the big event. She admitted that she turned to other pop icons for inspiration, mainly Beyoncé, and said,
“I watched Beyoncé’s halftime performances a couple of times. She is a beast and a whole other level. Just to be inspired, really.”
To overcome her nervousness and get motivated, the Umbrella singer watched Queen Bey’s old performances a few times, which indeed helped her. Queen Bey performed in the 2013 and 2016 NFL championships earlier. Additionally, while preparing for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the Barbadian singer rewatched past female performers’ performances, including Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston.
Other Major Factors That Inspired Rihanna To Perform At The 2023 Super Bowl
During her interview with Nate Burleson, Rihanna revealed two primary factors that contributed to her focus and readiness to perform at the Super Bowl after such a long absence. The singer expressed her “honor” with the first factor of having her home country of Barbados represented in the halftime show ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. The Barbadian singer recalled attending the Apple Music Halftime Show press conference in Glendale, Arizona; she shared her excitement about returning to music after a long hiatus, particularly after her pregnancy.
The singer said during the press conference,
“That’s an as big part of why it’s important for me to do this show. Representing the country of Barbados, Black women everywhere, I think that’s really important. I’m honored to be doing this year.”
During her postpartum in September 2022, Rihanna was slated to participate in Super Bow as her son was three months old. She expressed her joy and nervousness and said to the show host,
“It was so scary because it was kind of unexpected. My son was only maybe 3 months old.”
The singer continued,
“I haven’t performed in seven years—2016 was my last tour. That, to me, was the last time I remember being out there on the stage.”
She added,
“I miss it. But to come back from zero to the Super Bowl, like that’s kind of nuts. I didn’t know what to think. It’s going to be a challenge, and that gets me excited, and I think that was the real push for me.”
“I just want to put on a great show, and I want to enjoy it. I don’t want the pressure to succumb to me.”
In May 2022, the Umbrella singer gave birth to her first child, a baby boy, with rapper A$AP Rocky. In September 2022, the singer agreed to attend the 2023 Super Bowl, despite having many doubts about her decision. Fans and media referred to her as a super mom after her latest performance as she performed with a baby bump, expecting her second child with her partner.
Also Read: “She’s a lot of things. She ain’t Beyonce”: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Blasts Rihanna’s Super Bowl Song
Source: The Process with Nate Burleson
