She calls the shots! Rihanna<\/strong><\/a> didn\u2019t bring out any special guests during her 2023 Super Bowl<\/a> halftime show performance despite several of her collaborators<\/a> being in the stadium for the game.<\/p>\n The Barbados native, 34, made a major entrance at the State Farm Stadium<\/a> in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, February 12, performing live for the first time in years. The set included a mix of Rihanna\u2019s biggest hits \u2014 including \u201cWe Found Love,\u201d \u201cUmbrella\u201d and more \u2014 and a team of dancers<\/a> who appeared on floating stages.<\/p>\n Halftime show producer Jesse Collins<\/strong> shared behind-the-scenes insights<\/a> about how the pop star prepared for the huge career milestone<\/a>, explaining why Rihanna chose to appear solo.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was just her wanting to make the statement that she could carry this thing and she did,\u201d Collins told Entertainment Tonight<\/em><\/a> after the NFL championship<\/a>. \u201cPeople just want to see her and so she had to give \u2019em a show and she did. We haven\u2019t seen her dance like that in a long time and I thought it was just spectacular. \u2026 [I\u2019m] just really happy to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n While details of the performance<\/a> were kept under wraps before Sunday night, many fans wondered whether any other A-listers<\/a> would join Rihanna on stage. Jay-Z<\/strong><\/a>, Drake<\/strong><\/a> and DJ Khaled<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 all of whom have recorded hits with the \u201cShut Up and Drive\u201d singer \u2014 watched the 13-minute show<\/a> from the sidelines.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has a massive catalog [and] not a lot of time,\u201d Collins noted, adding that what viewers saw on Sunday was \u201cversion 39\u201d of the gig. \u201cShe wasn\u2019t gonna be ready until it was absolutely perfect. \u2026 It was a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n The medley was the first time a halftime performer has been \u201cprimarily in the air for 40 percent\u201d of the show. According to Collins, the Fenty Beauty founder didn\u2019t let her fear of heights get in the way of creating a once-in-a-lifetime vision. \u201cWe were like, \u2018You can only do this much on the field,\u2019 and [her team was] like, \u2018Well, we\u2019ll just put it all in the air,’\u201d he said, teasing that Rihanna felt more in her element \u201call the way up at the top.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cPon de Replay\u201d singer may not have included any celebrity cameos<\/a>, but she still had a serious surprise for fans on Sunday night. Rihanna unveiled her baby bump mid-performance<\/a>, announcing that she and ASAP Rocky<\/strong><\/a> have their second child on the way. The couple, who were first linked in 2019, welcomed a son in May 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThey wanted another baby and were trying, but the pregnancy came sooner than expected!\u201d a source exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> after the big reveal, adding that Rihanna and her beau, 34, were \u201csurprised\u201d by how soon they conceived<\/a>. \u201cRihanna and ASAP are so thrilled to be parents again. They love their family and are so happy to be adding another member.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n Rihanna.<\/span> Dave Shopland\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"Why](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Why-Rihanna-Didnt-Perform-With-Special-Guests-Halftime-Show-00006.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Rihanna.<\/span> Frank Micelotta\/PictureGroup<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n