The Super Bowl halftime show, renowned for its massive budget and grandiose performances, never fails to impress viewers. Rihanna's unforgettable performance at the event was a true testament to her natural talent for captivating audiences. She demonstrated her mastery in taking a classic Super Bowl trope, the flying platform, and turning it into a spectacular, one-of-a-kind experience.

Rihanna began her performance with the electrifying "B**** Better Have My Money," as she emerged onto the field as the queen, surrounded by a sea of hundreds of bumping and grinding dancers. Dressed in a stunning blood-red boilersuit, Rihanna's attire, just loose enough to spark pregnancy speculation, heightened the excitement among the audience. She then gracefully swooped down to perform a series of world-class R&B showstoppers, including "Only Girl (In the World)," "We Found Love," and "Work." The mash-ups were skillfully crafted, with each song blending seamlessly into the next, and a sliver of "Birthday Cake" expertly connecting "Wild Thoughts" and "Pour It Up."

Rihanna's expertly curated setlist claimed ownership of Kanye West's "All of the Lights" and Jay-Z's "Run This Town" by some ancient law of Guesters Keepers. The performance was a magnificent megamix that culminated in a brief twirl of "Umbrella" and a final epic snippet of "Diamonds." The audience was left in awe of Rihanna's unparalleled talent and showmanship, as she delivered a captivating performance from start to finish.

While it was disappointing that Rihanna's protest against the NFL's discarding of kneeling quarterback Colin Kaepernick, which she and many other major acts turned down the 2019 halftime show over, seemed to be cheerily swept under the carpet, her performance still exuded star quality. It is also worth noting that, towards the end of the show, Rihanna made a minor error when attempting to talk into her prop microphone. Nonetheless, these minor missteps were overshadowed by the sheer magnitude of Rihanna's performance, which left the audience completely mesmerized. Overall, Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show was a stunning display of her natural talent and showmanship that is sure to be remembered for years to come.