The 34-year-old singer takes the stage at Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium.
Rihanna, dressed entirely in red, stood out from her small army of dancers, who were dressed entirely in white.
A brief about The finest photographs from Rihanna’s spectacular Super Bowl 2023 performance
Rihanna’s former accountant, whom she sued for mismanaging her finances and costing her millions of dollars, supposedly inspired the fan-favorite song. (In 2014, the lawsuit was settled.)
Contrary to the song’s title, Rihanna’s Super Bowl appearance was almost probably unpaid, considering it was her first live performance since 2019.
“Where Have You Been,” “Only Girl (In the World),” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Wild Thoughts,” “Pour It Up,” “All of the Lights,” and “Run This Town” were also on the set list.
Rihanna has 14 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, the fourth-most of any artist in history.
Rihanna hasn’t released an album since “Anti” in 2016.
Many fans hoped that the Super Bowl performance might result in new music, as pop musicians have frequently utilised the NFL stage to promote a new album or tour.
Headliners have previously invited fellow artists to share the spotlight at the Super Bowl: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s joint performance in 2020 included appearances by Bad Bunny and J Balvin; Maroon 5 welcomed Big Boi and Travis Scott as guests in 2019; and Coldplay’s 2016 performance was famously overshadowed by Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.
Rihanna has worked on chart-topping singles alongside musicians such as Drake, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar, but she was the exclusive focus this year.
Rihanna’s pregnancy was confirmed by a spokesman for the artist shortly after her performance.
It will be the singer’s second kid with A$AP Rocky, who was on the sidelines of the show.
Throughout the performance, Rihanna appeared to caress and stroke her stomach.
Rihanna and her dancers performed choreography throughout the setlist, which flowed from one song to the next.
“Diamonds” was released as the lead single from Rihanna’s seventh studio album, “Unapologetic,” in 2012. It is still one of her most popular and commercially successful songs, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching a platinum certification seven times in 2021.
Rihanna looked to embody the song’s famous words as she sang the song while suspended in mid-air: “We’re lovely like diamonds in the sky.”
