Rihanna to headline Super Bowl halftime show

AFP

Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl LVII halftime show on Feb. 12 at Glendale, Ariz.

The nine-time Grammy winner broke the news by posting a photo of her arm holding a football on social media Sunday. The NFL later shared the same image on Twitter with the caption "Let's GO" and the hashtag SBLVII.

"Rihanna is a once in a generation artist who has been a cultural force throughout her career," said NFL Head of Music Seth Dudowsky in a news release.

Rihanna, 34, has sold more than 250 million records worldwide.

Taylor Swift originally had been offered the headlining halftime slot, but TMZ reported Friday that she declined.

The league announced earlier this week that Apple Music had replaced Pepsi as the sponsor of the halftime show.

The NFL said more than 120 million viewers watched the halftime show held at Super Bowl LVI, which featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar. That performance just earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).

Past Super Bowl performers include Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Prince, Paul McCartney and Madonna.

More from Entertainment

News

  • Iranian nationals in UAE exempted from overstay fines

    Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Iranian nationals currently in the UAE will be exempt from overstay fines caused by delays in leaving the country.

  • UAE ensures smooth airport operations amid airspace closures

    The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has confirmed that all necessary measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted airport operations in response to recent regional developments and airspace closures in neighbouring countries.

  • UAE, Turkish Presidents discuss regional developments

    The UAE's President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have held a phone call to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and ways to promote regional stability.