Rihanna at the Super Bowl: Social media reacts to Rihanna announcing her half-time Super Bowl performance

Rihanna set the internet on fire with one simple Instagram post announcing that she will be performing during half-time at the Super Bowl in 2023.

The Super Bowl half-time performance has become almost as big a spectacle as the game itself, with memorable moments like Katy Perry’s Left Shark from 2015, and other performances from stars like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars.

Although it only lasts 14 minutes, the spectacle is known to pull in more than 120 million viewers, according to the NFL.

Rihanna has now revealed that she will be the centrepiece in 2023’s performance, with a cryptic Instagram post.

The image shows Rihanna’s hand extending upwards holding an American football, the caption including only a full stop.

Naturally, social media exploded at the mysterious reveal, with American drag queen Evie Oddly commenting: “I’ve never been so excited about football in my life!!!”

Musician Cyn Santana also wrote under the post: “Wait….. does… dis mean??? What I think?????? IT MEANS?!!!!!!!!!”

Terms like Rihanna, #RihannaSuperBowl, and Riri trended on Twitter within minutes, gathering more than one million Tweets between them within minutes.

Rihanna hasn’t performed publicly in five years, so many fans are thankful to see her return.

Others were struck by the nonchalant way Rihanna announced her return to the stage.

With such a varied discography to choose from when it comes to her set list for the performance, Rihanna is also being inundated with suggestions of what songs to perform.

The reaction to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, with reactions ranging all the way up to whatever this is.

It also seems that Rihanna’s announcement has amazed fans around the world, with people promising to watch the game outside of the United States.

The Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 12, 2023, and is the final game of the NFL season.