“118.7 Million Viewers, 833 Percent”: Hours After Patrick Mahomes’ ‘Strict Rule’, Rihanna’s Super Bowl Show Trends Like Thunder Amid Baby Update

If there’s one thing that a horde of people would do at the drop of a hat, it’s watching Rihanna perform live. After a long hiatus from the music industry, her comeback Super Bowl halftime performance was highly anticipated. Additionally, the events that followed her performance reveal why artists take up the gig in the first place. The halftime show undoubtedly takes a huge chunk out of an artist’s pocket. With the league not giving her a single cent, why did RiRi take on the job? While the music sensation may not have received a paycheck, she got something bigger in return.

The Super Bowl effect is undeniable. Fans flock to their television screens, not only to witness the game but also to watch the halftime spectacle featuring big names in the music industry. A large part of the Super Bowl viewership also tunes in just for the entertainment the halftime show provides. The stage was set for RiRi to stun viewers. As one of the best-selling artists, her hiatus from the industry created a fervor much in advance. But what did RiRi receive in return?

KC lifted the trophy but Rihanna won on all fronts

While the NFL did not cut her a check, the superstar’s brand’s visibility sky-rocketed soon after she performed. The impact of RiRi’s performance went far beyond general appreciation. The 9x Grammy winner became the most-streamed artist globally, an incredible feat especially after not having released new music with the exception of a few solos. 17 of her songs reportedly made it to the top 40 list on Spotify.

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Additionally, online searches for her cosmetics brand ‘Fenty Beauty’ went up by 833%. Joe Pompliano, who often tweets fascinating facts on the intersection of sports and business, provided fans with a breakdown of how the singer profited.

Rihanna gained 3 million followers on Instagram within a short span of time. Her halftime performance gained 5 million additional viewers compared to the millions who were tuned in for the game. If fans believed that the Super Bowl halftime show does nothing but increase the artist’s popularity; the lucrative gains from the music sales and merchandise purchases, among other things, say otherwise.

Some couldn’t access RiRi’s performance despite being on the field

There’s no doubt Rihanna’s performance was highly anticipated. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes revealed that their head coach Andy Reid issued stern warnings to the team. Reid said that eager players who wanted to get a sneak peek of RiRi’s performance wouldn’t be allowed to play the rest of the game. While the players may have missed out on a great show, their focus on the game was far more important.

The NFL world reacted to RiRi’s accomplishments post her performance. One user disbelievingly said,

Other users remarked,

One fan left a hilarious comment.

In true RiRi fashion, the singer also made a shocking revelation. Fans quickly realized that the singer was pregnant with her second child, which her management confirmed later. Talk about a dramatic reveal! Despite garnering some criticism for an underwhelming performance, Rihanna made her comeback in style, offering fans a memorable halftime show.

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