Rihanna returned to the stage at the Super Bowl with a long-awaited medley of pop bangers, but it was her baby that dominated the conversation.
The megastar appeared at the midair stadium on a floating stage, donning a clingy, all-red ensemble featuring a printed bustier – and a belt below what many viewers deduced was another mini RiRi in the making.
Representatives for the singer confirmed the speculation to trade magazine Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter: Rihanna is pregnant with her second child.
The 34-year-old welcomed her first child, a son, with rapper A$AP Rocky in May.
Speaking of music, fans expecting some new tracks were disappointed: Rihanna’s night on the world’s biggest stage offered a nostalgic tour of her past hits.
He delivered club smashes including “Where Have You Been” to the time-tested “Only Girl (In the World)” and “We Found Love.”
“Rude Boy,” “Dog Better Have My Money,” “Work” and “All the Lights” are also on the list, as a sea of dancers perform amazing acrobatics.
“Wild Thoughts” “Run This Town” and, of course, “Umbrella” and “Diamonds” rounded out the picture.
He does not, like many stars, bring guest artists, commanding the stage himself.
The evening was a reversal after Rihanna had previously turned down the show in protest of the National Football League’s race issues.
But when he received the coveted slot this time, the Barbados-born singer said it was “important for representation.”
“It’s important for my son to see this.”
Since the release of “Anti” in early 2016, Robyn Rihanna Fenty has taken a break from recording but it has not been easy: she has become a billionaire, turning her musical achievements into a successful makeup, lingerie and fashion brand.
Since her last album, Rihanna has done occasional features and more recently recorded music for the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack.
But the album that’s been teased for years remains a myth — and it looks like it’ll stay that way for a long time.
© Agence France-Presse
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