Rihanna has reportedly turned down the chance to headline next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, in a show of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick.
The singer was the NFL’s top choice for next year’s performance, but she is believed to have shunned the huge event to support the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who was the first NFL player to take a knee in protest against police brutality in 2016.
“Rihanna was the front-runner for next year’s super bowl halftime show,” a source told Entertainment Tonight.
“CBS and the NFL reached out to Rihanna first, who after thinking about the offer, decided to pass due to the NFL and the situation regarding players kneeling.”
The source added that the singer “stands with the players and Colin Kaepernick”.
“The offer and exposure would have been great for Rihanna as she’s planning a new album and tour but she stuck to what’s right in her eyes,” the report added.
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It is also claimed that P!nk was approached to headline the event in February, but she failed to secure the gig after early negotiations broke down.
Instead, it was reported last month that Maroon 5 are the frontrunners to headline next year’s event.
According to Variety,the Moves Like Jagger band are close to accepting a deal to headline the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show, citing two anonymous sources. Representatives for both the band and the NFL have not responded to the new reports.
The 2019 Super Bowl will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on February 3, 2019.