2012 Super Bowl XLVI – Indianapolis | Giants 21, Patriots 17
Performers: Madonna, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. Cee Lo Green, LMFAO, and Cirque du Soleil
2012 Super Bowl XLVI – Indianapolis | Giants 21, Patriots 17
Performers: Madonna, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. Cee Lo Green, LMFAO, and Cirque du Soleil
2013 Super Bowl XLVII – New Orleans | Ravens 34, 49ers 31
Performers: Beyonce and Destiny's Child
2013 Super Bowl XLVII – New Orleans | Ravens 34, 49ers 31
Performers: Beyonce and Destiny's Child
Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Bruno Mars performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Bruno Mars performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – FEBRUARY 02: Flea, Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis and Josh Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Theo Wargo / FilmMagic)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – FEBRUARY 02: Flea, Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis and Josh Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium on February 2,
Rihanna reportedly turned down Super Bowl halftime show in support of Colin Kaepernick
Last month, the word broke that the NFL had been marooned to Super Bowl LIII. It was a perfectly safe choice for a league that was not so far off the beaten path, entertainment-wise. But was it the first choice? Or even the second choice?
According to Us Weekly, the NFL and CBS – which is broadcasting the game – first approached megastar singer Rihanna to headline the Feb. 3 intermission in Atlanta, but the Barbadian turned down the league "because she supports Colin Kaepernick" and "because of the kneeling controversy," an unnamed source told us. Kaepernick, the 49ers quarterback, was the first NFL player to take a knee during the playing of the national anthem. He has not played since the final game of the 2016 regular season.
"Entertainment Tonight" went even further, with a source telling it that Rihanna was "the front-runner" to a high-profile Super Bowl appearance would be synonymous with her plans for a new album (two new albums? ) and a tour.
"But she stuck to what's right in her eyes," the source said.
Rihanna was not alone in turning down the NFL, however. According to "AND," the league also approached Pink, who battled through the flu to deliver a well-received performance of the national anthem before last season's Super Bowl. But it also turned down the NFL, this time "because the negotiations took so long" ("AND" also says that the length of the talks was a factor in Rihanna's decision).
Ahead of last February's Super Bowl, reports surfaced that Jay-Z had turned down the NFL Super Bowl halftime offer, purportedly because of the league's treatment of Kaepernick. The rapper said: "I said no to the Super Bowl: you need me, I do not need you. Every night in the end zone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too. "
Adele also told the NFL, telling a concert crowd in August 2016 that the Super Bowl Halftime show "is not about music."
The NFL has yet to officially confirm the lineup for this season's Super Bowl Halftime show, though it did not knock down the Maroon 5 news when it was announced last month. They say rapper Cardi B – who paired with Maroon 5 for their recent single, "Girls Like You," which reached No. 2 on the Hot Billboard 100 chart – which is usually considered for a spot in the show, which usually features multiple acts.
