Rihanna Returns to Music for the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show

image courtesy of Matt Slocum/AP/Shutterstock

Sensational singer and businesswoman, Rihanna, made a comeback for the 57th annual Super Bowl which drew differing reviews from WGHS Warriors. 
by Sydoni Shaw and Jordan Jones

Sensational singer and businesswoman, Rihanna, made a comeback for the 57th annual Super Bowl which drew differing reviews from WGHS Warriors. 

After a 7 year hiatus, Rihanna returned to the stage for Super Bowl LVII. With a set list of 12 of her popular songs from her 17 year catalog, Rhianna entertained 112.3 million national viewers according to CNN.com. One of these viewers, Senior Eniyah Hill, was surprised to see Rihanna on screen. “I was shocked because I didn’t even know she was going to perform,” said Eniyah. She later went on to say, “My girl Riri was out there… and she performed my favorite song: 'Where Have You Been'.”

My girl Riri was out there… and she performed my favorite song: 'Where Have You Been'.

image courtesy of Ezra Shaw // Getty Images

​Sophomore Saniyah Cantrell and Freshman Abigail Whitman also shared in the enjoyment of the performance. “I loved all the songs [Rihanna] sang,” said Cantrell. “The performance was good.” Whitman then added that “The platforms were the coolest part. I enjoyed it alot.”

Contrarilly, Sophomore Tevion Myhan deemed that something was missing from the 13-minute concert. When asked if the performance was all to be expected, Myhan explained that he was anticipating more. “The songs that she had performed were with other people,” he voiced. “So, it would have been cool if she had the other people up there performing with her…like Drake.” 

From an entertainment perspective, Rihanna’s performance wowed some and left others wanting more. Her brief presence at the 2023 Super Bowl leaves many to wonder what she has planned for the future.

Do you think the performance was great, or did you expect more? Add your thoughts on the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show in the poll below.