Rihanna admits when she received the decision to headline this yr’s Tremendous Bowl halftime present, she thought twice in regards to the alternative: “I used to be like, ‘You positive? I’m three months postpartum. Ought to I be making main choices like this proper now? I’d remorse this.”
However the singer stated changing into a mother gave her the power to tackle the large occasion, particularly together with her 9-month-old son watching on.
“While you turn into a mother, there’s one thing that simply occurs the place you are feeling like you can tackle the world — you are able to do something. And the Tremendous Bowl is likely one of the greatest levels on the planet, in order scary as that was … there’s one thing exhilarating in regards to the problem of all of it,” she stated. “It’s essential for my son to see that.”
The Grammy-winning star stated it was additionally essential for her to carry out on one of many world’s largest levels to characterize “for immigrants, characterize for my nation, Barbados, [and] characterize for Black girls in every single place.”
“That’s key for individuals to see the chances. And I’m honored to be right here. I’m honored to be doing this this yr,” she added.
Rihanna, 34, spoke Thursday on the Phoenix Conference Middle days earlier than Sunday’s Large Recreation and her enormous halftime efficiency. She was interviewed by Nadeska Alexis of Apple Music, the halftime present’s new sponsor who’s placing on the spectacle alongside Jay-Z’s Roc Nation firm.
Mike Lawrie/Getty Pictures)
She didn’t say which songs from her epic, 18-year catalog she’d carry out however stated she has been remodeling the setlist to ensure the efficiency is memorable and monumental.
“The setlist was the most important problem. That was the toughest half — deciding the best way to maximize 13 minutes, but additionally have fun. That’s what the present’s going to be — it’s going to be a celebration of my catalog in the easiest way,” she stated. “I feel we did a reasonably good job at narrowing it down.”
Rihanna has been a chart-topping success since releasing her debut single, “Pon de Replay,” in 2005. She has launched eight studio albums and logged 14 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Scorching 100 chart, together with “We Discovered Love,” “Diamonds,” “Work,” “Umbrella,” “SOS,” “Impolite Boy,” “Solely Woman (In The World)” and “What’s My Title?”
Her final album was 2016’s Anti, and he or she admitted that she’s form of nervous as a result of she hasn’t “been onstage in seven years.” However she stated she’s been working arduous throughout rehearsals, a lot so she “completely forgot that my birthday is developing” on Feb. 20 and he or she “completely forgot about Valentine’s Day.”
“I’m simply Tremendous Bowl, Tremendous Bowl, Tremendous Bowl,” she stated. “I’ve but to sleep. We had been working on the venue all final night time … [and] someway I’m right here at a press convention proper now.”
Rihanna declined to carry out within the 2019 Tremendous Bowl halftime present out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, and on the press convention on Thursday journalists weren’t allowed to ask the singer questions.
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Two younger followers had been capable of ask Rihanna questions although. One requested what was an important factor Rihanna realized in an effort to succeed within the business. Her response: “Keep humble.”
“As a result of if not, this business will humble you by some means,” she stated. “My humility got here from my childhood rising up within the Caribbean, rising up in my family with my mother. She’s a really humble girl, her mother was a really humble girl, and I’ve by no means overlooked that. That’s essential to me. I usually worry the pedestal that the world can put you on, and I all the time wish to really feel my ft on the bottom — that makes me really feel secure.”
Forward of Rihanna’s efficiency and the battle between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on the State Farm Stadium, nation music singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton will sing the nationwide anthem (signal language by Oscar-winning Coda actor Troy Kostur); R&B legend and singer-songwriter Babyface will carry out “America the Lovely” (signed by Colin Denny); and Emmy-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing “Carry Each Voice and Sing” (signed by Justina Miles).
Ralph, one of many stars of the breakout TV collection Abbott Elementary, a couple of college in Philadelphia, was proudly cheering on the Eagles on Thursday, even bringing out a handbag with the crew’s emblem on it.
“I had to ensure I had the entire accoutrements. So after I noticed that, I stated, ‘Sure, we will need to have the bag,’” Ralph advised the viewers. “Philly, all the way in which. It’s a Philly factor.”
When Babyface was requested which crew he was rooting for, he stated: “I’m going to go together with Rihanna.”
