By Raven Roberts with SGJC Student News Network
In a performance deemed by many the “#FentyBowl,” the Grammy Award-winning artist turned Entrepreneur floated above dancers and audiences alike.
Rihanna opened with her 2015 single “B - - - - Better Have My Money,” following a medley of hits.
The Barbados native seemingly lip-synced 12 songs from her catalog in her first performance since 2018. She performed alone in one of just three solo performances since 2014, a decision that has faced criticism online.
“This is without a doubt the worst Super Bowl halftime show ever produced. To say it’s boring is an understatement. The performance looked lazy and half baked. To be honest, it looked talentless - @rihanna just depended on the success of her major hits being replayed.,” Twitter user @Workin_American said.
“Her singing was excellent! But the performance wasn’t good,” another user @petersvianna added.
Many others disagreed, including NFL sports writer Ian Rapoport, tweeting “Rihanna is a baller. That was fantastic.”
However, it wasn’t Rihanna’s vocals, stunning appearance, or energetic dancers that drew the most attention. It was her stomach.
The chatter began the moment she stepped out in a form-fitting red bodysuit, seemingly emphasizing a baby bump. Many wondered if the new mom was hinting towards another child with her baby’s father, fellow artist A$AP Rocky.
“Is it just me or does Rihanna look pregnant” many Twitter users wondered as she strolled around the platform, momentarily touching her stomach.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on May 13, 2022.
After gracing audiences, Rihanna left the stage without addressing the speculation, leading “Pregnant” to trend on Twitter, and possibly the app to stop responding.
A representative of Rihanna later confirmed the rumor to The Hollywood Reporter.
The writer is a student in the Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication