The NFL announced that its 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show will be headlined by Rihanna, the world-renowned singer and business mogul. It is scheduled to take place on February 12th in Glendale, Arizona. The show marks the end of the Pepsi era of sponsorship with Apple Music taking over the role.

The Super Bowl is one of the most highly viewed televised events in the US, attracting over 96.4 million viewers in 2022. It is known for its signature performances and commercials, making it a true American icon.

Rihanna herself is an American icon. Her distinct R&B-pop style and easily recognizable discography are a testament to her influence on modern music. Since the release of her 2016 album Anti, however, the star has not released any solo music. She has, however, been featured in a slew of collaborations with artists such as DJ Khaled, Future, and Kendrick Lamar with fans hoping that the Super Bowl performance will mark a shift back into producing more music. 

Though she hasn’t been releasing music, Rihanna has been establishing her cosmetics company, Fenty Beauty. Focused on inclusive beauty, and praised for its positive message, the makeup brand has been an international success, making her a self-made billionaire. She’s also been renowned for her Savage X Fenty clothing line. 

With Rihanna announced as the headliner for the Halftime show, there has been much speculation surrounding the performance. People have been left to wonder if she will be performing alone, like The Weeknd’s performance last year, or if there will be more surprise artists in store for the crowd, as there have been at other halftime shows.