Super Bowl halftime show reviews 2023: The best, worst reactions to Rihanna's performance | Sporting News (2024)

After five years away, fans got Rihanna for 13 minutes on Sunday.

Rihanna was tapped as the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show artist in September, giving fans a pause in the Chiefs-Eagles action to reintroduce herself to the world. And reintroduce herself she did.

It was a memorable show that was met with some praise, featuring some anti-gravity performances and an all-hits playlist that thrilled viewers. What made Rihanna's performance all the more special? She's actually pregnant with her second child.That'sthe stuff of Super Bowl legend.

Rihanna last performed live in January 2018, and hasn't released a new album since 2016, so to say that her performance on Sunday during Super Bowl 57 is highly anticipated seems to bit a bit of an understatement. Rihanna, obviously, knows this as well, leading to an ample amount of research ahead of Sunday.

The superstar said on Feb. 8 that she had 39 different potential setlists for this Sunday's performance, certainly lending to endless possibilities when she hits the stage.

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The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Rihanna. Follow below for our reviews during halftime of Super Bowl 57.

(All times are Eastern.)

Super Bowl 2023 halftime show reviews

Super Bowl halftime show performers don't get paid, but they still reap the benefits of performing on such a big stage. Rihanna saw some veritable boosts to her platform following the Super Bowl 57 halftime show:

Rihanna wasn't paid by the NFL for this year's Super Bowl halftime show.

But she has already gained 1.5 million Instagram followers in less than 24 hours, and searches for Fenty Beauty are up 833%.

That's in addition to her multi-million dollar documentary deal with Apple TV+. pic.twitter.com/xUtSBICSO1

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 13, 2023

Plenty of people who tuned in got in some thoughts on Rihanna's solo performance:

This is a great reminder of how many absolute bangers Rihanna has out there

— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) February 13, 2023

What a beautiful tribute @rihanna did to the late, great ambassador of couture fashion & @vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Talley —paying homage to his iconic oversized red coat. #Sb57 pic.twitter.com/rEtaIxOqbl

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 13, 2023

Elmo thinks you look great in red Ms. @Rihanna, just like Elmo! ❤️

— Elmo (@elmo) February 13, 2023

Rihanna had a bigger security detail than @POTUS

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) February 13, 2023

Hits after hits, Rihanna bowl really didn’t disappoint 😭❤️

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) February 13, 2023

Rihanna tonight pic.twitter.com/LQ9m7Deh2S

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 13, 2023

Rihanna didn’t bring out nobody she said I haven’t been seen in 7 years this my moment 😂

— CARLOS HAHA DAVIS (@HaHaDavis) February 13, 2023

Loved Rihanna paying homage. pic.twitter.com/n8vAy0qh9Y

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) February 13, 2023

Rihanna is a baller. That was fantastic.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2023

Watching Rihanna perform Umbrella pic.twitter.com/mmJdIdCvb1

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 13, 2023

Rihanna wins

— kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) February 13, 2023

Super Bowl 2023 halftime show live updates

8:41 p.m.:And the show finishes with Rihanna on a floating platform.

LIKE DIAMONDS IN THE SKY 💎 @rihanna pic.twitter.com/DUrGXdWfcE

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) February 13, 2023

8:38 p.m.:"Umbrella" is next, and that's followed by "Diamonds."

THE VISUALS @rihanna 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xmYL8pniyn

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) February 13, 2023

all of the lights is a rihanna song now.

— anthony “light 1” fantano (@theneedledrop) February 13, 2023

8:37 p.m.:"Run This Town" is next.

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

8:36 p.m.:"All of the Lights" is up next, but no sign of Kanye West here.

8:34 p.m.:"Wild Thoughts" is next, and "Pour It Up."

Yes. Yes. Yes. 💃 @Rihanna #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/1aaU8TOpNQ

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023

8:32 p.m.:"Rude Boy" is next, followed by "Work."

8:31 p.m.:Dickie V. is a big Rihanna fan, baby!

Here comes @rihanna baby / should be electrifying!

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 13, 2023

8:30 p.m.:Next is "Only Girl (In The World)," followed quickly by "We Fell In Love."

SHE’S BAAAACK 👑 @Rihanna #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/rH2G9r2RSc

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023

8:29 p.m.:"Where Have You Been" is up next, and the stage comes back to turf.

8:28 p.m.:The halftime show begins with Rihanna on a big floating platform performing "B— Better Have My Money."

8:25 p.m.:The lights are out. The stage is set.

Rihanna crew building her stage in the commercial break…. pic.twitter.com/dtxbVN7FvZ

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 13, 2023

8:21 p.m.:One commercial break sits between the return of Rihanna and the fans.

8:16 p.m.:It is halftime. Riri is back, y'all.

RIHANNA TIME ☔️ pic.twitter.com/zYMNrxkQ3l

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) February 13, 2023

8:13 p.m.:There are 22 seconds left in the half, which means the show is about five minutes out or so.

When is Rihanna coming???? This is taking forever 🦅🦅🦅🦅

— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) February 13, 2023

8:06 p.m.:The Eagles have one final shot to score before the half, but the show is almost here.

Rihanna’s dancers have officially entered the stadium. #SuperBowl

pic.twitter.com/ALUGfvC4k0

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 13, 2023

8:00 p.m.:Just minutes away from the start of the halftime festivities.

7:54 p.m.:Count Serena among those extremely excited for the halftime show:

The Countdown to @rihanna has begun 😍😍

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 12, 2023

7:17 p.m.:Rihanna fans, we're sure that you'll be looking like Nick Sirianni when she takes the stage.

when rihanna starts singing pour it up pic.twitter.com/LGIiJWmSoy

— َ (@angelinIothian) February 12, 2023

MORE: Why Rihanna was chosen for Super Bowl 57 after turning down NFL in 2019

How to watch Rihanna in the Super Bowl 57 halftime show

The Super Bowl 57 halftime show will be broadcast on Fox following the end of the second quarter for Eagles vs. Chiefs. You can stream the 2023 halftime show using the Fox Sports app or with fuboTV, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

MORE HALFTIME: 5 best shows ever | 5 worst shows ever

Super Bowl halftime show start time

  • 8 p.m. ET (approximate time)

With Super Bowl 57 starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, halftime should be ~8 p.m. ET. That's an inexact time, considering NFL games are pretty fluid. The first half should wrap up around 8 o'clock ET, however, making way for the halftime show soon after.

MORE: Projecting Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show setlist

How long is the Super Bowl halftime show?

The halftime is usually about 20 minutes, so the performance should be roughly 10 songs, some truncated and remixed.

Super Bowl halftime show reviews 2023: The best, worst reactions to Rihanna's performance | Sporting News (2024)

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