Rihanna Says Being a Mom Pushed Her to Perform at the Super Bowl

As if pop and R&B legend Rihanna needed to add any more superpowers to her arsenal—she’s now bringing some major mom confidence on stage at the Super Bowl.

In a recent interview with Extra, the Savage Fenty owner talked about the many joys of motherhood and what it’s like being a mom for the first time. “It is crazy. It is amazing. It’s wild. It’s weird. It’s all of those things, all at once,” Rihanna recounted. “The best feeling, the best. The most love I’ve ever known. I can’t describe it. It’s new. It’s fascinating. Every step, every facial expression, every new milestone. I love it.”

The beauty mogul gave birth to a baby boy, whose name she hasn’t disclosed, on May 13 in Los Angeles. Just five months later, a glowing Rihanna appeared on the red carpet alongside her partner A$AP Rocky and shortly after was announced as the headliner for the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime show.

The announcement both shocked and excited fans who have been waiting for a new album from Rihanna since her last, entitled Anti, was released in 2016. When asked why she decided to return to the stage, she answered, “I feel like it was now or never, really. There’s this weird sh*t that happens when you become a mom, that you just unleash or unlock other parts of your superpower, you feel like you can take on the world, you could do anything.”

She went on, “I wanted to take on the challenge, and I wanted to do something that would force me to get back onstage. Because when you are a mom, it’s not important, really; everything else is at the bottom of the priority list, but I’m a performer, and I love it!”

Outside of motherhood giving her that extra oomph of confidence, Rihanna admitted that she’s learned some other things about herself since giving birth. “I’m patient now… I thought I was getting better at patience, but this will sit you down. You are forced to be patient as a mom, as a parent, just in general.” She stressed, “Your tolerance level goes down, but your patience goes up, if that makes any sense.”

If Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance is anything like her pregnancy fashion, we are all in for a treat. Check out 11 of her most note-worthy looks here.