Singer Rihanna and the NFL recently confirmed the news that the “Pon De Replay” singer would be headlining the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime show.
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As previously reported by Sis2Sis, Rihanna’s fans were excited about the news and rushed to Twitter to share their excitement. On the other hand, other Twitter users couldn’t help but remember when Rihanna turned down the opportunity of performing at the Super Bowl because of the Colin Kaepernick situation.
In 2016, the former NFL player received backlash after he kneeled during the national anthem to stand against the oppression of people of color and was suspended for it.
Back in 2019, Rihanna told Entertainment Tonight that headlining the Super Bowl wasn’t an option because she was focused on her album. A source close to the singer told the outlet that CBS and the NFL contacted Rihanna about performing, stating she was a “front-runner.” But Rihanna declined because of the situation with the NFL and Kaepernick, standing with his decision. And Kaepernick thanked her for the support.
I really appreciate @rihanna keepin it ?
? pic.twitter.com/g2gC1KFe5f
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 5, 2019
Now, fans reminded the public of her decision and expressed their disappointment that the singer was changing her mind.
A few years ago, Rihanna turned down the Super Bowl halftime show in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and b/c she said she “couldn’t be a sellout.” But today she’s proudly announcing she’ll headline this year’s show. Has something changed at the NFL that i haven’t heard about?
— nora rahimian (@norarahimian) September 25, 2022
Rihanna said she wouldn’t perform at the Superbowl because of how they’ve treated Colin … but then this year a whole bunch of Black artists said “eh , we don’t care anymore” and got on the stage … i guess she’s joining them
— ? cozy with who i am (@deifrankone) September 25, 2022
didn’t rihanna previously turn down the superbowl because of Colin Kaepernick
— sarahˣ is HEATED. | TLM ERA ??
(@CashewAunt2) September 25, 2022
Pretty sure Rihanna turned down this gig in 2019. Said she was supporting Colin Kaepernick and wasn’t a sellout. ? https://t.co/DIuOS2wv0z
— Michael Rodney (@PackersNotes) September 25, 2022
Don’t you just love a hypocrite! Rihanna refused to do the super bowl last year in solidarity for suck hole Colin but I guess she is not getting the attention she needs because her solidarity just went out the window and will do the super bowl this year lol. I dont watch anyway
— steven fraser (@stevenjfraser) September 25, 2022
