Twitter Rejects Rihanna’s Upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Performance: “She Might as Well Stay Home”

Rihanna is hyping her return to the stage next month with a 30-second teaser trailer for her anticipated halftime performance at the 2023 Super Bowl — but some people are feeling underwhelmed.

The trailer, which dropped at midnight, jumps right into Rihanna’s absence from the music industry over the past few years. The Grammy Award-winning artist hasn’t released a studio album since her 2016 release, Anti, and we’re all well aware.

“It’s been 2,190 days / It’s been over six years / Rihanna is who everybody is waiting for / RiRi, where have you been?” multiple voiceovers say at the top of the teaser.

The star is then seen walking toward the camera in a green jacket, a black bodysuit and jewelry. The clip wraps with Rihanna posing for the camera before finally putting a finger to her lips and making a “shh” motion.

“You’re ready? Rihanna for Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show,” the star wrote while sharing the video on her Instagram account.

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Needless to say, people are freaking out. Some are building up the event, saying that the Super Bowl is now a Rihanna concert featuring a football game.

However, because the trailer ends with a snippet of her song “Needed Me,” which was released in 2016, many fear that new music is not on the horizon, despite her buzzy performance. “If Rihanna don’t give us new music at the Super Bowl she might as well stay home,” wrote one naysayer.

“If Rihanna doesn’t perform new music at the halftime show imma be very disappointed,” tweeted another.

But we’ll just have to see what the upcoming performance brings! The game is set for Feb. 12 at the State Farm State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This is the first year the NFL has partnered with Apple Music for the event, but the organizations have entered a multi-year partnership, signaling more to come.

The Weeknd, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Madonna have all performed in the coveted halftime slot in past Super Bowls. Last year’s performance featured a lineup of musicians including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar. The show was later awarded three Creative Emmy awards.

Since the release of Rihanna’s 2016 album Anti, the artist has dropped (or been featured on) a few singles, including 2021’s “Lift Me Up,” which was included in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.