Callum Jones
While the actual game is supposed to be the main event during the Super Bowl, there is no questioning that a lot of viewers just tune in to watch the halftime show.
In the past, the show has been headlined by the likes of Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, The Weeknd and Maroon 5.
And this year, Rihanna finally appeared at the mega event, which was actually her first live performance in over five years.
Advert
For the most part, fans were blown away by the singer's return to the main stage, with many flocking to social media to praise the returning superstar.
One fan on Twitter said: "Now THAT was a halftime show!! DAMN."
Meanwhile, a second added: "Everyone involved in the direction, choreography, staging, dancing, and construction deserves so much credit for that #SuperBowl HT show."
For the show, fans in the stadium and watching at home were treated to many of Rihanna's hits, including 'We Found Love', 'Diamonds', 'Rude Boy', 'Umbrella', and 'Work', to name just a few.
But while a lot of fans hailed Rihanna's return, others were not too impressed, with some suggesting that the singer was lip syncing.
"Props to @rihanna for not even trying to lip sync. She’s barely even holding the mic up to her mouth.," one viewer said on Twitter.
A second added: "Rihanna not even bothering to hold the mic up to lip sync the #SuperBowlLVIIhalftime show is a POWER move," while another wrote: "Rihanna has now gone to lip sync mode."
Meanwhile, a third remarked: "I can’t believe I spent 90 minutes fake watching sports I don’t understand nor care about, only for Rihanna to lip sync all her songs and deliver the most anticlimactic halftime show since Coldplay."
And a fourth said: "What’s the point of a halftime show when Rihanna doesn’t even try to lip sync?"
Rihanna has actually been asked to perform at the Super Bowl many times, with one request being as recent as 2020.
Speaking about her decision to finally perform at the Super Bowl after many years, the musician said it was 'now or never'.
"I felt like it was now or never for me. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world, it's an entertainer's dream to be on a stage like that," she said.
Tyla has contacted Rihanna's representatives for comment.