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2023 Super bowl: Rihanna's Dopest Performances

2023 Super bowl: Rihanna's Dopest Performances

Rihanna has always excited and surprised us with her stage presence, so let's take a look at her best acts before Sunday's halftime show.

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Image for article titled 2023 Super bowl: Rihanna's Dopest Performances
Photo: John Shearer / Contributor (Getty Images)

The most anticipated performance of the year is here: Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show! The billionaire Barbadian singer and businesswoman, Rihanna, has been in the entertainment industry since 2005. The nine-time Grammy Award winner has reached icon status and has years of smash hits to prove it! Here are some of her best performances throughout her career.

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“Pon de Replay” AOL Sessions 2009

“Pon de Replay” AOL Sessions 2009

Rihanna - Pon de Replay (AOL Sessions)

The new Def Jam signee, Rihanna, performed many of her early singles on AOL Sessions, and her first single, “Pon de Replay” was one of our first introductions to her star potential.

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“Umbrella” AOL Sessions 2009

“Umbrella” AOL Sessions 2009

Rihanna - Umbrella (AOL Sessions)

Rihanna rocked a new edgy black haircut to sing the fan-favorite song, “Umbrella.” This 2009 AOL Sessions performance was complete with backup singers, dancers, and a full band. “Umbrella” won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

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Pepsi Smash “Umbrella” November 2009

Pepsi Smash “Umbrella” November 2009

Rihanna - Umbrella (Pepsi Smash)

This Pepsi Smash performance is arguably the best she’s sounded singing the Grammy-winning song “Umbrella” early in her career. There is also a fun rock element to it! Peep the vocals at 3:22!

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“Love the Way You Lie”/ “Not Afraid” Eminem & Rihanna 2010 VMA’s

“Love the Way You Lie”/ “Not Afraid” Eminem & Rihanna 2010 VMA’s

Eminem & Rihanna Perform “Love the Way You Lie / Not Afraid” at 2010 VMAs | MTV

Red-haired Rihanna joined rapper Eminem on the 2010 VMAs stage to sing their collab “Love the Way You Lie”. The single was nominated for 3 Grammy Awards.

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“What’s My Name”, “Only Girl” 2010 American Music Awards

“What’s My Name”, “Only Girl” 2010 American Music Awards

Rihanna - What’s My Name + Only Girl (American Music Awards 2010) High Definition

Riri opened her American Music Awards performance singing “Love the Way You Lie” acapella and then owned the stage after transitioning to “What’s My Name” and “Only Girl”.

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“Russian Roulette” AOL Session 2010

“Russian Roulette” AOL Session 2010

Rihanna- Rihanna Russian roulette AOL Session 2010 HQ Live

Rihanna showed off a fresh mohawk with shaved sides and a black unitard to sing “Russian Roulette” from her album, Rated R on AOL Sessions. This song beautifully highlights her lower register.

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“California King Bed” Live at American Idol 2011

“California King Bed” Live at American Idol 2011

Rihanna - California king bed live at American Idol - California king bed directo Best Performance

The American Idol stage was blessed with Rihanna’s emotional performance in 2011 of “California King Bed” from her Loud album. She was a f0ur-time American Music Award winner at the time.

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“Princess of China” Live at the Paralympic Games in London 2012

“Princess of China” Live at the Paralympic Games in London 2012

Coldplay and Rihanna - Princess of China live at Paralympics Games 2012 London HD Best Performance

Pixie cut Rihanna joined Coldplay for the closing ceremony for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London singing the pop-genre hit “Princess of China”.

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“Stay” Live on SNL 2012

“Stay” Live on SNL 2012

Rihanna - Stay (Live on SNL) ft. Mikky Ekko

The Barbadian star gave the Saturday Night Live audience goosebumps singing the ballad “Stay” from her award-winning album Unapologetic in 2012.

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“Diamonds” Live on SNL 2012

“Diamonds” Live on SNL 2012

Rihanna - Diamonds (Live on SNL)

Rihanna was joined by a fantastic band for this groovy performance on Saturday Night Live of the smash hit “Diamonds.” Her iconic voice crack at 3:35 is to die for!

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“Where Have You Been”- American Idol Season 11 May 2012

“Where Have You Been”- American Idol Season 11 May 2012

Rihanna: Where Have You Been - Top 2 Results - AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11

A tour-worthy performance was given on the American Idol stage in 2012 with Rihanna performing the hit “Where Have You Been” with dancers and strobe lights!

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“Diamonds” X Factor UK 2012

“Diamonds” X Factor UK 2012

Rihanna - Diamonds - Live on The X-Factor (UK - November, 25th 2012) (HD)

Rihanna did one of her first performances of the song “Diamonds” on the X Factor UK stage. She stood still centerstage as fake rain fell around her, making it one of her most majestic stages to date.

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“Diamonds” 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

“Diamonds” 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Rihanna - Diamonds Live Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012 1080p HD

Rihanna stole all of the attention away from the models at the Victoria’s Secret Show in 2012. This is possibly the best performance of “Diamonds.” The voice crack and wail at 3:42 is something only Rihanna can nail.

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“The Monster” Live at the MTV Movie Awards 2014

“The Monster” Live at the MTV Movie Awards 2014

Eminem & Rihanna - The Monster (Live At The 2014 MTV Movie Awards)

Eminem and Rihanna joined forces on the stage again for their song Grammy Award-winning song for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Monster” at the MTV Movie Awards in 2014.

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“Stay” Live at the Concert for Valor 2014

“Stay” Live at the Concert for Valor 2014

Rihanna - Stay Live at The Concert For Valor 2014

Riri thanked veterans for their service and serenaded them with her Grammy-nominated hit “Stay” at the Concert for Valor in Washington, D.C. in 2014.

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“Bitch Better Have My Money” 2015 iHeart Radio Music Awards

“Bitch Better Have My Money” 2015 iHeart Radio Music Awards

Bitch Better Have My Money (Live At The 2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards) (Explicit)

Rihanna began her new fierce era for “Bitch Better Have My Money.”She started the performance by stepping out of a helicopter wearing a money-green fuzzy coat and matching boots for the 2015 iHeart Radio Music Awards.

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“Unfaithful”, “Love The Way You Lie”, “Take a Bow” Live at Rock in Rio 2015

“Unfaithful”, “Love The Way You Lie”, “Take a Bow” Live at Rock in Rio 2015

Rihanna Unfaithful / Love The Way You Lie / Take a Bow ( Rock in Rio 2015)

The Rock in Rio music festival welcomed the “Stay” singer where she opened with “Unfaithful,” asking the audience to sing along. The sea of people was united as she transitioned to “Love the Way You Lie” and “Take a Bow”.

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“Don’t Stop The Music”, “Only Girl (In The World), We Found Love, “Where Have You Been” 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

“Don’t Stop The Music”, “Only Girl (In The World), We Found Love, “Where Have You Been” 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Don’t Stop The Music / Only Girl (In The World) / We Found Love / Where Have You Been (...

The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards was one of the Grammy Award-winning artist’s most dynamic performances kicking it off with a mashup of “Don’t Stop the Music”, “Only Girl (In the World), “We Found Love” and “Where Have You Been.”

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“Needed Me,”“Pour It Up,”“Bitch Better Have My Money” 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

“Needed Me,”“Pour It Up,”“Bitch Better Have My Money” 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Needed Me / Pour It Up / Bitch Better Have My Money (Live From The 2016 MTV VMAs)

The 2016 MTV VMA stage turned into Riri’s dance floor after “Needed Me”, with “Pour it Up” and crowd favorite, “Bitch Better Have My Money.”

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“Stay”, “Love on The Brain”, “Diamonds” 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

“Stay”, “Love on The Brain”, “Diamonds” 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Rihanna - Stay / Love On The Brain / Diamonds (Live From The 2016 MTV VMAs)

This is the best Rihanna performance of all time. Vocally, she delivered every note perfectly with emotion, strength, and beauty. “Love on the Brain” has yet to be performed this well!

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“Love on The Brain” Live at Global Citizen Festival 2016

“Love on The Brain” Live at Global Citizen Festival 2016

Rihanna Love On the Brain | Live at Global Citizen Festival 2016

Rihanna performed “Love on the Brain” at the 2016 Global Citizen Festival, a concert to help end poverty worldwide. The crowd joined her in singing the song, copying the same high note for the lyric “brain”.

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“Love on the Brain” 2016 Billboard Music Awards

“Love on the Brain” 2016 Billboard Music Awards

Rihanna - Love On The Brain - The 2016 Billboard Music Awards

“Love on the Brain” has become one of Rihanna’s most successful singles going 6x Multi-Platinum. She performed the smash hit at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards on a black and green-lit stage.

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“Consideration” w/SZA, “Work”w/Drake Live at the BRIT Awards 2016

“Consideration” w/SZA, “Work”w/Drake Live at the BRIT Awards 2016

Rihanna - Work - Live at The BRIT Awards 2016 ft. Drake

The 2016 BRIT Awards performance by Rihanna began with a young SZA singing ANTI’s “Consideration” and then a funky transition to the 9x Multi-Platinum hit, “Work.” Drake, who was rumored to be dating Rih at the time, joined her.

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2019 Savage X Fenty Show

2019 Savage X Fenty Show

Rihanna SAVAGE X Fenty Fashion Show 2019

After taking a break from music and launching Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, Rihanna reminded people that she was a pop star first! Although she did not show off her vocals, she danced alongside her models in the 2019 Savage X Fenty Show.

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