Rihanna Receives Emmy Nominations For Historic Halftime Show Performance
Rihanna is on the verge of adding another accolade to her already impressive collection – an Emmy Award. The recently announced 2023 Primetime Emmy Award Nominations have recognized Rihanna’s extraordinary performance in The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show, where she captivated audiences with her hit songs and surprised everyone with the revelation of her second pregnancy. This incredible achievement has earned her a total of five nominations, a feat that she couldn’t help but celebrate.
The nominations include outstanding directing for a variety special, outstanding music direction, outstanding technical direction and camerawork for a special, outstanding production design for a variety special, and outstanding variety special (Live). Rihanna, known for her down-to-earth personality, took to Instagram to express her gratitude for the nominations and share her excitement with her fans. In a post accompanied by photos from the performance, she wrote, “5 EMMY NOMZ is craaaaazzzyyy. I’m so grateful for every single person involved in creating these memories!”
While most of the awards would recognize the talented individuals behind the scenes, there’s a chance that both Rihanna and executive producer JAY-Z as well as others on the performance’s production staff might get a trophy if the show wins outstanding variety special (live). This recognition highlights the immense impact Rihanna has had not only as a performer but also as a creative force behind the scenes.
During the performance earlier this year, Rihanna delivered an unforgettable set that showcased her chart-topping hits. The crowd was electrified as she performed songs like Bitch Better Have My Money, Where Have You Been?, Only Girl in the World, and We Found Love. The excitement continued with iconic tracks such as Rude Boy, Work, Wild Thoughts, Pour It Up, All of the Lights, Run This Town, and her timeless hit, Umbrella. She wrapped up with a powerful rendition of Diamonds.
What made this performance truly remarkable was the fact that Rihanna became the first pregnant woman to grace the halftime show stage. She seized the opportunity to celebrate this momentous occasion by revealing her pregnancy during the opening moments of her performance. Rubbing her stomach and leaving the zipper of her outfit undone, the Lift Me Up singer proudly showcased her baby bump. The outfit itself was a stunning combination of a jumpsuit layered over a form-fitting bodysuit and a sculpted bandeau, perfectly complementing her radiant glow.
In a press conference held prior to the show, Rihanna expressed the challenges she faced in selecting the songs for her 13-minute set. With an extensive catalog of hits, condensing her music into such a short time frame was a daunting task. “That was the hardest, hardest part — deciding how to maximize 13 minutes but also celebrate,” she explained.
It is worth noting that there were about 39 versions of the setlist before the final selection was made. Rihanna wanted to create a show that would be a true celebration of her impressive career, and she certainly succeeded, judging from reviews and accolades she got off the performance.
