Fam, I was live at Super Bowl LVII and got to watch Rihanna tear up the Apple Music Halftime Show!
RiRi did not disappoint! I mean, c'mon...performing on a glass platform in the sky while pregnant is legendary.
Here are the 13 thoughts I had while watching Rihanna perform!
1. The stage was constructed in about three minutes, which was amazing to watch.
These platforms were so cool!
Watching the crew set up the stage for #Rihanna was dope! Here they are testing the floating platforms before her #SuperBowl #AppleMusicHalftime performance!
2. Rihanna's stage was set up so it didn't damage the grass!
The NFL has spent two years preparing the grass for tonight's field at the Super Bowl. The grass was grown at a local sod farm in Phoenix. It was installed two weeks ago, and the field has been rolled out each morning for daily sunshine. Total cost = $800,000
So, the NFL made a HUGE deal about their $800,000 new grass field for Super Bowl LVII. Which, by the way, the players said was slippery as hell and some of the worst grass they've ever played on. Nonetheless, Rihanna's stage was constructed and set up so it didn't damage the expensive grass, something the crew told me before they set up. Watching all those individuals building the stage in real time, and also knowing they were given strict instructions on how to not damage the field, makes me respect those crew workers even more than I already did. You can read more about the logistics of that here.
3. Rihanna gives her fans the best energy.
4. Is RiRi pregnant? I immediately wanted to know if she was pregnant after Rihanna started the show with a belly rub.
SHE’S BAAAACK 👑 @Rihanna #AppleMusicHalftime
Rihanna started the Apple Music Halftime Show with "Bitch Better Have My Money" and a belly rub that immediately had EVERYONE in the stadium talking. I don't think there was one person next to me that didn't gasp or ask "Is she pregnant?!" at that moment. RiRi would go on to rub her belly again while singing "Diamonds," causing the stadium (or at least those around me) to come to an agreement that yes, Queen RiRi is pregnant. And after the performance, her reps confirmed it!
5. Where's A$AP Rocky?!
ASAP Rocky is everyone watching @Rihanna 🥺 #AppleMusicHalftime
For some reason, I expected poppa Rocky to make some type of appearance. Definitely not a performance, but maybe placing a crown on Rihanna's head at the end or something magical and dope along those lines. But poppa Rocky was exactly where he should be...on the sidelines, cheering on one of the most talented artists in the industry and being a supportive partner.
6. There were no cameos or features, unfortunately.
Lil Uzi Vert and Jay Z entering #SuperBowlLVII
When Jay Z and Lil Uzi Vert entered the building (and walked right by me, mind you, along with Blue Ivy), I was sure Rihanna was going to bring out the GOAT. However, Jay didn't hit the stage during RiRi's set, in which she did perform her portions of tracks she has with the legendary rapper. I can't pretend I wasn't disappointed, especially after last year's star-studded event that featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent.
Jay Z has entered the building #SuperBowlLVII
7. The dancer who almost fell had me shook for a second.
Rihanna’s halftime show was inches away from absolute disaster (via sid_tilt/ig)
It looked like those platforms were rocking a little bit, and at one point, one of Rihanna's dancers slipped. My heart skipped a beat, but they popped up instantly and kept going. Sheesh.
8. It was scary to watch RiRi up on that platform with only one strap holding her.
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I caught a video of #Rihanna getting her protective strap/harness situated before the performance. It's scary to think all she had was the one strap to keep her from falling! #AppleMusicHalftime #SuperBowlLVII
Bruh. Rihanna had one strap separating her from doom, and I was nervous as all hell the entire time. I'm talking SWEATING. Thank the lord nothing happened, but I feel like this was not the safest harness/strap setup for such an expensive and prestigious event.
9. Rihanna sang her ass off!
Watching this live and hearing #Rihanna belt out her classics was LEGENDARY DAWG #AppleMusicHalftime #SuperBowlLVII
Although some backing vocals were used, especially while she was dancing, I was SO happy to hear Rihanna belt out her classics. Hearing her sing live really gave me goosebumps! Fun fact, halftime show and national anthem performers must prerecord their performance for the event, then they can sing over it as much or as little as they'd like! "We call it a protection track," longtime Super Bowl sound engineer Patrick Baltzell told the Verge back in 2018. "We always record a protection track for the halftime lead singer and for the national anthem."
10. The millenials and Zoomers were waaay more into it than the older generations.
11. These dance moves seem kind of low-key for a Rihanna performance, but the choreography was definitely tailored to her pregnancy.
12. Rihanna's MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon sneakers were my favorite part of her outfit.
Rihanna hit the halftime stage in the MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Read More: https://t.co/ATagDYrj8P
I have a sneaker problem...or at least that's how my fiancé feels. Rihanna's MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon sneakers looked absolutely delicious, even from my viewing area. I kept saying to myself, "What are those shoes?!" and was forced to look them up the second her performance was done.
13. And finally, it wasn't as memorable as last year's Super Bowl halftime show, but it definitely ranks in the top five of my personal favorites I've seen.
