The singer’s red outfit both revealed her new pregnancy and paid homage to the late André Leon Talley.
Though she hasn’t released a new album since her 2016 hit Anti, Rihanna’s comeback performance at the SuperBowl halftime show proves why she’s still considered one of the biggest acts in the world. When the announcement of the singer’s big return broke in September of last year, fans all across the internet were sent into a tizzy.
The halftime show is widely considered one of the biggest stages of all time, and the “ultimate marriage of sports and pop culture.” It’s only fitting that the Barbadian national hero, and one of the wealthiest and most successful entertainers of all time, chose this stage to make her much-awaited return.
The performance, which took place in State Farm Stadium, Arizona, kicked off with a dramatic entrance that saw Rihanna suspended in the air on a platform to the beat of her song “Bitch Better Have My Money.”
Though the Grammy Award-winning singer pulled off the groundbreaking feat, one of her more subtle moves caused shockwaves online; her oversized red jumpsuit was unzipped to expose her baby bump, which she rubbed, signaling to the world the news of her pregnancy.
Just last May, Rihanna welcomed the birth of their baby boy. This would be her second child with rapper A$AP Rocky, who was seen cheering her on from below. Having only given birth 9 months ago, news outlets have begun to speculate the possibility of her having Irish twins, a term used to refer to babies born less than a year apart.
Despite being pregnant, the singer performed 12 of her biggest hits, which included a mix of powerful titles like “Where Have You Been” and “We Found Love” to nostalgic tunes like “Only Girl” and “Umbrella.”
Styled by Jahleel Weaver, her layered red monochromatic ensemble consisted of custom pieces by Loewe. According to the Spanish luxury fashion house, Rihanna’s get-up was inspired by a pilot’s flight-suit, and played on a “contrast of layers and textures.” Underneath she wore a custom-sculpted leather corset over a silk jersey catsuit.
Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson took to Instagram to express his gratitude at the opportunity to dress the star. “I’m so excited to have been part of this unforgettable moment. Rihanna is a true icon, and working with her to bring these stage looks to life feels like a wild, wonderful dream.”
She completed the look with color-matched MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon sneakers and a Jacob & Co. timepiece set with 323 pave diamonds. Rihanna has been a customer of the watch brand for nearly fifteen years. “Rihanna is like a goddess, says founder and creative director Jacob Arabo. “She has it all, a sense of leadership like no other, heaps of talent and a unique, vibrant energy. During the Superbowl performance, she showed once again that she owns the stage, just any stage. And she’s a demanding customer. She only ever goes for the best of what we do.”
For her last few songs, she dawned a large red Alaïa sleeping bag coat, akin to those worn by the late fashion journalist and Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley. Speculations that the outfit was a tribute to him were seemingly confirmed after his official Instagram page shared a picture of him in his own big red coat. The caption read “When the sun shines, we’ll shine together. Told you I’ll be here forever… said I’ll always be your friend” before tagging the singer.
