The countdown to the musical return of Rihanna scenarios is about to come to an end. Less and less until the show of the rest of the Super Bowl LVII Edition and the performer from Barbados has almost everything ready for her show. And we say almost everything because if Riri made one thing clear, it’s that what cost her the most and costs her the most is the choice of songs.
She talked about all this and her future musical double exit during the conference preceding the various musical shows of the Super Bowl. The singer’s performance will be the icing on the cake of a weekend full of music with the concert before the grand finale, the interpretation of the national anthem, the black national anthem, the anthem in sign language and the halftime show.
Sunday February 12 will be the date of her return to the stage at Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Rihanna was interviewed by Nadeska Alexis in front of millions of viewers who were able to follow the press conference via Apple Music.
Rihanna, how are you?
We’ve been working on rehearsals all night and now at the Super Bowl conference, so Fenty makeup is helping me a lot to look radiant.
How are those days?
I’m so focused on the super bowl that I forgot until my birthday. This event requires a lot of preparation and rehearsal. This is the week when we test everything and everyone is doing their best. There are hundreds of people working on a few minutes of music.
How do you feel?
We are very excited to do the Super Bowl. We have been working hard on it for a long time. Today is the last rehearsal so we are in a very important and exciting time for us.
What does this event represent for an artist like you?
I feel like it can only happen now. Since I decided to accept it, I always wondered if I was ready and I think so. It’s a challenge after these years away from the stage. For me, it is important for my people as a representation and also for my son.
What can you tell us about the setlist?
The setlist (list of songs) was the biggest challenge. It was the hardest part. Decide how to maximize 13 minutes but also celebrate my catalog in the best possible way. It was a challenge to compress 17 years of career into 13 minutes. We’re going to lose some of the relevant songs but I think that’s pretty cool. I think we did about 39 versions of the setlist, including small edits or song changes.
How did you get involved in the halftime show?
I’ve been busy all my life and I’ve never been afraid to look busy preparing for the show. In this show, there are many people who help me to work and to prepare it but my name is that there. I like to be there in every detail, as is the case with my lipsticks. I like to name each of them.
How did you prepare physically?
It’s a physical challenge and it’s been a bit of a mess. I’ve never done a performance before where I had to cram 2 hours of performance into 13 minutes. You have to be on top from the first to the last second. It was a big challenge.
Will your roots be present on the show?
That’s the most important reason I’m doing this show: to represent black women, to represent the people of my country, Barbados…I want them all to feel represented. (…) I am very far from home. It’s a beautiful journey that I’m undertaking and I’m very excited about it. I’m happy to have Barbados on the Super Bowl stage.
How did you experience this whole pandemic period?
The pandemic forced me to slow down a bit. Besides the fact that there were restrictions and rules that didn’t allow you to leave the house, but I forced myself to be creative during this time. For me and for my entertainment. It was a moment that I treasured for me and mine.
How do you feel at the moment musically speaking of your double musical project?
Musically, I feel open. Open to exploring, discovering and creating things that sound new, different, weird… Even if they don’t make sense to my fans or people who know music. I just want to have fun making music.
What do you expect from the Super Bowl LVII halftime show?
I promise you I’ll have a great time. That’s what I promised myself.