Rihanna moved to the choreography of Parris Goebel while pregnant during Apple Music’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Creative director Parris Goebel who infamously works on Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty fashion shows shared her feelings after a monumental moment of having her choreography on full display for Rihanna’s 2023 Apple Music Halftime Show this past Sunday (Feb. 12).
According to Wired, the performance required the participation of some 800 people, from camera operators to stage crews to Rihanna and her 80 dancers and seven band members.
“Nothing happens overnight. You quietly plant the seed somewhere deep in your heart. It starts off as a gigantic dream and it feels so very far away. Then as every day passes, you chip away at that dream.
“Working tirelessly towards something that isn’t even at reach, but is in sight. Every day, every hour, every minute of work and dedication gets you closer to that dream. It feels like baby steps, but a million baby steps ends up becoming a hike up the tallest mountain. If you survive the setbacks, the turbulence, the doubt and never give up… one day that dream will be staring you in the eye. The next challenge is to not back down, to not second guess yourself and give it every bit of your mind, heart, body and soul. To endure the sleepless nights, the pressure, the sacrifices and endless resilience. But nothing can go wrong, you were chosen for this. What was once a dream is now a reality. And everything you’ve been through up til now… prepared you for this moment.”
Parris Goebel shared on Instagram Stories on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 12)
Protecting that grass from the massive weight of Rihanna’s stage, and thus from altering that Gmax rating, required delicate choreography. For one, Rodgers says, the stages for this year’s show could only be about half the size they have been in previous years. There was also the matter of getting them on and off the field swiftly. The crews had about 7.5 minutes to set up this year’s performance and about six to take it down. “That’s the science you have to inject into an artist’s world,” Rodgers says.
“This has never been done before,” Rodgers says. “With Katy Perry, we flew her around in a flying device, like a rocket ship. But this one is a totally different animal.”
Rihanna also wore a custom red jumpsuit and bralette by Loewe, red leather maxi puffer coat by Alaïa, and MM6 Maison Martin Marigela x Salomon Cross Low Sneakers and a Norma Kamali blanket coat to honor the late André Leon Talley. The selection also felt like a design homage nod to Kanye West’s styling in regarding to the floating stage, color and garment choices.
Re-watch Rihanna’s first public performance in five years as she opened the show with “Bitch Better Have My Money” while floating on a translucent platform. She followed with a medley of “Where Have You Been,” “Only Girl (In the World),” “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Wild Thoughts,” “Pour It Up,” “Umbrella,” “Diamonds,” and more on the player below.
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