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Music

Rihanna May Have Turned Down Super Bowl Halftime Show in Support of Kaepernick

Us Weekly is reporting that @badgalriri doesn't agree with the NFL's stance on Colin Kaepernick's protest.
Rihanna and Colin Kaepernick
L: Jstone/Shutterstock; R: DFree/Shutterstock

Early next year, sentient Tommy Hilfiger mannequins Maroon 5 will take the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show to perform their many, many hits in front of many, many people. If the idea of that bores you, then consider this: there's an alternate universe in which Rihanna would be taking that slot. Us Weekly is reporting that Rihanna was offered the Super Bowl halftime slot for 2019, but turned it down in support of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who created controversy during the 2016 season when he kneeled during the national anthem in protest of systemic racism and police brutality.

Us' source told the magazine that "the NFL and CBS really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta," and that "she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance." This report is only based on one source, so maybe take it with a grain of salt. (But if it's true, it just solidifies Rihanna's unimpeachable legend status.)

Shaad D'Souza is Noisey's Australian editor. Follow him on Instagram.