Super Bowl 2023
Comeback puts her in top ten halftime shows
Rihanna during her Super Bowl 2023 performance.
© imago images/Dave Shopland/Shutterstock
Rihanna put on a great show at the Super Bowl. The trade press lists the appearance before that of stars like Madonna and Lady Gaga.
An appearance in the halftime show at the Super Bowl is considered an absolute career highlight for many in the music industry. After about six years, Rihanna (34) also celebrated her big stage comeback with her performance and trumped with numerous of her hits without any guest stars. The biggest surprise, however, was that the singer presented herself with a baby bump. A spokesman for Rihanna later confirmed including the “People” magazinethat she is expecting her second child with partner A$AP Rocky (34).
Rihanna lands in front of stars like Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
Rihanna’s performance was so well received that music journalist Rob Sheffield announced her comeback for the Music magazine “Rolling Stone” in the top ten its ranking of the best halftime shows at the annual Super Bowl. Rihanna went it alone in eighth place, outperforming numerous well-known stars such as Michael Jackson (1958-2009, 14th place), Paul McCartney (80, 13th place) and the Rolling Stones (11th place).
Just behind Rihanna, who said she was “untouchably cool”, are Lady Gaga (36) and Madonna (64) in tenth and ninth place in the top ten. Only some of the biggest names in the music business place ahead of the singer. Bruce Springsteen (73) secures seventh place with his E Street Band, behind Shakira (46) and Jennifer Lopez (53), who performed together in 2020.
Together on the five: Aerosmith, who performed in 2001 with NSYNC, Britney Spears (41), rapper Nelly (48) and Mary J. Blige (52). Blige’s performance with Dr. Dre (57), Snoop Dogg (51), Eminem (50), 50 Cent (47) and Kendrick Lamar (35) is fourth. Beyoncé (41, third place) and U2 (second place) can hold their ground on the podium. Like all other colleagues, however, they have to admit defeat to Prince (1958-2016), who performed at the Super Bowl in 2007.