Rihanna wanted to be inspired by Beyoncé's two Super Bowl performances.
Rihanna studied Beyoncé's Super Bowl performances before her own Halftime Show performance.
The 34-year-old singer entertained the crowd during the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday night (February 12), in her first appearance on the stage in five years.
Rihanna admitted that during her preparation she attended both of Beyoncé's Super Bowl performances, in 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana and seven years later her performance with Coldplay at the 50th Super Bowl in California.
"I've seen Beyoncé perform on the Halftime Show several times," Rihanna said on The Process With Nate Burleson podcast.
"She's a beast and she's on a whole other level," he added of Beyoncé, noting that he watched her Super Bowl performances "just for inspiration."
During her first Super Bowl performance in 2013, Beyoncé was welcomed on stage by her former Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
Beyoncé returned to the event three years later and performed in the Halftime Show at the 50th anniversary Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, which was headlined by Coldplay. In addition to Beyoncé, the British band also invited Bruno Mars to perform.
During her own performance at the 2023 Super Bowl, Rihanna surprised the world by revealing that she is expecting her second child with rapper A$AP Rocky.
The 2023 Super Bowl marked Rihanna's first appearance since giving birth to her son in May 2022, and during a press conference before the game, she admitted that she had a hard time coming up with hits to sing at the show.
“That was the hardest, hardest part. Let's decide how to make the most of the 13 minutes, but also to celebrate," he said.
“You'll see on Sunday, from the moment it starts, it just never ends, until the last second. There are a lot of people who are a part of this show and a huge part of why this show is going to be as incredible as it is. I couldn't have done it without them,” he said.
