Rihanna promises Super Bowl halftime show will be a 'celebration' of her music

Rihanna is putting in the work ahead of her Super Bowl halftime show, focusing so hard on what she promises will be "a jam-packed show" that her upcoming birthday and Valentine's Day almost slipped her mind.

"The setlist was the biggest challenge. That was the hardest, hardest part. Deciding how to maximize 13 minutes but also celebrate that's what this show is going to be. It's going to be a celebration of my catalogue in the best way that we could have put it together," Rihanna said.

At a media preview Thursday ahead of Sunday's matchup between Kansas City and thePhiladelphia Eagles, the music superstar and new mom said her appearance her first live event in seven years feels "like it could have only been now."

"When you become a mom, there's something that just happens where you feel like you can take on the world, you can do anything. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages of the world," Rihanna said. "There's something exhilarating about the challenge of it all."

A nine-time Grammy Award-winner, Rihanna has 14 No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, including We Found Love, Work, Umbrellaand Disturbia.She and rapper A$AP Rocky recently welcomed theirfirst child.

"At the end of the day, if it flops or it flies, my name has to stand by that. And so I really get involved with every aspect of anything I do," she said.

Halftime performance sponsor Apple Music held a moderated event Thursday, but moderator Nadeska Alexis was the only journalist allowed to ask Rihanna questions.

Previously declined to perform in 2019

Rihanna joins a list of celebrated entertainers who have played during Super Bowl halftime shows, including Beyonc, Madonna, Coldplay, Katy Perry, U2, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and The Weeknd. Last year, hip-hop was celebrated with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar all performing.

The singer had previously declined to perform in the 2019 halftime show out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. But she has said that the timing and circumstances this time around were right for her.

WATCH | How2019 Super Bowl halftime show became a political football:

How the Super Bowl halftime show became a political football | The Pop Panel

6 years ago

Duration 8:42

The Super Bowl halftime show has gone from a coveted gig to political football following the controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernicks decision to take a knee during the U.S. national anthem.

Country music star Chris Stapleton will sing the national anthem, while R&B legend Babyface will perform America the Beautiful.Actor-singer Sheryl Lee Ralph will also perform Lift Every Voice and Sing.

When asked who they were cheering for on Sunday, Ralph said she was rooting for the Eagles while Stapleton and Babyface said they were backing Rihanna.

Oscar winner Troy Kotsur will perform the national anthem in American sign language. Colin Denny will sign America the Beautifuland Lift Every Voice and Singwill be signed by Justina Miles.

Apple Music this year replaced Pepsi, which sponsored the show for the past 10 years. Terms were not announced, but analysts had expected the league to get at least $50 million US per year for the rights.