Rihanna knew that if she was going to return to the stage less than a year after , the performance would have to top anything sheBԪַd done before.
BԪַIf IBԪַm going to leave my baby, IBԪַm going to leave my baby for something special,BԪַ the multi-Grammy winner said.
That something special turned out to be the . BԪַIt was now or never for me,BԪַ she said.
The singer had previously declined to perform in the 2019 halftime show out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. But in a recent interview ahead of her Rihanna said that the timing and circumstances this time around were right for her. BԪַIt was a challenge that I welcomed. It was a stage bigger than anything IBԪַve ever done,BԪַ she said.
After the NFL announced in late September that Rihanna would headline the February show, hopeful rumors spread of a long-awaited new album, which she . Her last album, BԪַANTI,BԪַ was released in 2016.
Although the pop star recently dropped her first new song in six years, the lead single for BԪַBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever,BԪַ she was quick to shut down speculation that her Super Bowl performance meant an album was imminent. BԪַThatBԪַs not true. Super Bowl is one thing. New music is another thing. Do you hear that, fans?BԪַ she said, laughing.
BԪַThe second that I announced this, I said, BԪַOh, my God, theyBԪַre going to think my album is coming. I need to get to work,BԪַBԪַ she recalled.
Despite her quick return to the public eye after giving birth, Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky have kept the details about their baby private. The two have yet to share his name or any photos of him.
BԪַWe just didnBԪַt get around to it yet, really. WeBԪַve just been living. But I guess thereBԪַs a certain freedom that comes with kind of just like getting it out there,BԪַ she said.
In addition to adjusting to life as a new mom, Rihanna said she has been busy outdoing last yearBԪַs BԪַSavage X Fenty Show Vol. 3,BԪַ which earned an Emmy and included a long list of high-profile stars.
BԪַItBԪַs always challenging to beat the one before,BԪַ she said. BԪַNext year is going to actually be the main challenge because this year was such a huge scale of a show and I donBԪַt know how weBԪַre going to beat it, but weBԪַre going to have to try.BԪַ
This yearBԪַs show includes performances by Anitta, Maxwell and others, as well as a long list of appearances, including Taraji P. Henson, Cara Delevingne and Sheryl Lee Ralph. APBԪַs interview with Rihanna came before word leaked that Johnny Depp was slated to participate. Some people unhappy with called for a boycott of RihannaBԪַs line if Depp was part of the show.
The BԪַSavage X Fenty Show Vol. 4BԪַ will be available to stream Wednesday on Amazon Prime BԪַ.
BԪַKrysta Fauria, The Associated Press