Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Performance Sparks Lip-Sync Controversy
4 min read
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea with Rihanna electrifying performance halfway through Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium. Some social media watchdogs call it the “worst ever” infraction in the history of halftime shows that she lip-synched her way through the performance. Rihanna, who hasn’t done a solo live performance since 2016, performed a medley of her greatest hits ranging from “Umbrella” to “Work” in less than 13 minutes. As if that weren’t impressive enough, the singer announced she was pregnant with her second child while holding her belly during the performance.
Critics accuse Rihanna of โworst lip sync everโ at Super Bowl ๐ pic.twitter.com/J0FkHqsRxq
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 13, 2023
Fans praised her online, saying she had made a powerful statement for women worldwide. In spite of Rihanna’s impressive rendition of Umbrella, wannabe music critics attacked her: Many accused her of miming the words along to prerecorded tracks rather than performing them live. I’m amazed at Rihanna’s ability to keep singing despite putting down the microphone and not moving her lips at all, snarked one viewer. It’s too bad Rihanna lip-syncs, lamented one, including video footage of her cover of Kanye West’s All of the Lights, in which her lyrics and lips seem to synchronize as well as a kung-fu movie.
That halftime show though #SuperBowlโฏโฏโฏ #Super BowlHalftimeShow
#Rihanna pic.twitter.com/4pkUoaz4eK— Jesska Pizzle (@JesskaPizzle) February 13, 2023Advertisement
During The Super Bowl Rihanna Was Accused Of Performing The Worst Lip Sync Ever
It is unclear whether Rihanna actually sang or lip-synced throughout the 13-minute Super Bowl LVII halftime show. There have been many stars who have done it before. A number of fans took to Twitter to speculate whether the artist was singing or not. Over the years, many legendary artists have graced the Super Bowl halftime show, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd. There has always been an emphasis on incorporating complicated choreography and visually appealing stunts into the shows as they have evolved over the years. Throughout the years, performers have become more focused on their overall performance rather than their vocals. As a result of this change, more and more singers are opting to lip-sync instead of singing live. Even though it’s still just speculation, Rihanna was not the first pop star to have been accused of lip-syncing. Janet Jackson’s infamous Super Bowl halftime show with Justin Timberlake made headlines not only because of her wardrobe malfunction but also because fans suspected she lip-synced her performance. During Madonna’s 2012 halftime performance at the Super Bowl, there was also speculation that she lip-synced.
Since her performance included tons of high-energy movements, it’s no surprise she lip-synced. At the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, Rihanna’s electrifying performance halfway through the action-packed Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t appreciated by everyone. The Barbadian pop icon is accused by many social media watchdogs of lip-syncing her way through the show, some calling this the “worst ever” halftime infraction. In many cases, the pop star mimed along to prerecorded tracks rather than performing live. You know I love you, but I’ve never seen a worse lip-sync OMG, wrote one detractor, Lip-syncing at the Super Bowl should never be allowed, wrote another. While playing her lyrics, Rihanna did not even have the mic near her mouth, one disillusioned fan complained. There’s no point in doing the halftime show if you’re not even going to sing. While lip-synching might seem like a bad thing, the NFL policies require halftime performers’ rehearsals to be prerecorded live, so they can sing over it as much or as little as they feel comfortable with.
Isnโt Rihanna the richest woman alive? Why is she lip syncing? Just do your thing. #rihanna #lipsync #superbowlhalftimeshow pic.twitter.com/lcloKuC8pd
— ChrisCONVRDIST (@CConardist) February 13, 2023
tom holland did it better in lip sync battle than rihanna at the super bowl. argue with a wall. pic.twitter.com/WegMbIfQRN
— ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โจ (@celest_nichole) February 13, 2023
I am sorry but Rihanna knew she was pregnant and not able to sing and dance for the half time super bowl. She should have said sorry I can't do it please give someone else the chance to entertain everyone in front of millions
— Victor Bigham Family fun (@Ravious101) February 13, 2023
Rihanna used lip sync and pre recorded songs pic.twitter.com/5v7hN3H3kf
Iโmโฆwaiting for Rihanna to actuallyโฆsingโฆa single word? 99% sure this has ALL been playback and lip sync
— CometShredder (@Comet_Shredder_) February 13, 2023
Rihannaโs lip-sync track is off.
— Keith Barnes (@kbarnes_pghsprt) February 13, 2023
Badly.
If youโre going to get artists to show up and lip-sync, you could just pay for the music rights, hire a dance troupe and show a 10-story poster of the artist.
#AppleMusicHalftime Rihanna couldnโt even lip-sync well. Such an underwhelming performance at the #SuperBowl #HalftimeShow #Rihanna ๐คฆ๐ปโโ๏ธ
— Sailor del Tiempo y el Cambio (@1sc19rno88) February 13, 2023
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