Who Might Rihanna Bring Out for the Halftime Show?

You may have heard that there's going to be a football game at the Rihanna concert this Sunday. While plenty are talking about whether the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles will prevail, the name on everybody's lips this week seems to be Rihanna.

And that's for good reason: she hasn't performed live since the 2018 Grammys and hasn't released an album since 2016. Many fans are predicting that Rihanna–who is also an Oscar nominee this year for her "Wakanda Forever" song–will announce both a new album and a new tour on Sunday.

But the other thing many people are talking about is whether Rihanna will bring out any special guests. Of course, special guests aren't a sure bet. The Weeknd, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, and The Who are a few recent performers who decided to do it solo. But plenty of others made it a star-studded affair: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez brought out Bad Bunny and J Balvin; Coldplay brought out Beyonce and Bruno Mars; Katy Perry brought out Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott; and Madonna brought out Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, and Cee Lo Green. Sometimes the guests are on-theme (Bad Bunny and J Balvin celebrating Latin music in Miami) and sometimes they're not (who ever would have predicted that Coldplay would invite Beyonce?) And while Rihanna absolutely doesn't need anyone to share the stage with her, here are a few choices that would make sense.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z and Roc Nation have been producing the halftime show since 2020, yet even with his wife Beyonce making an appearance at multiple Super Bowls, Jay-Z himself has not performed. This may be the year that the hip-hop legend finally appears, as they've got three hit songs together: "Umbrella," "Run This Town," and "Talk That Talk."

Calvin Harris

Two of Rihanna's biggest hits have Calvin Harris attached to them: "We Found Love" and the Taylor Swift-penned "This Is What You Came For." It's hard to imagine that "We Found Love" won't be on the setlist, making it the perfect opportunity for the beloved DJ to make an appearance.

Drake

Drake has surprisingly never appeared during a halftime show and this year is the perfect time for him to change that. Their hit tracks include "Work," "Take Care," and "What's My Name," and many of us would lose our minds if the delicious Drizzy made a surprise appearance.

Britney Spears

As far as longshots go, this is up there with Michael Jackson coming back from the dead and parachuting into the Super Bowl Sunday night. Spears has made it known that she has no interest in performing any time soon, and recent headlines suggest that her health might be on the rocks. Still, Spears and Rihanna recorded a remix of "S&M" together and performed it together during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards. Spears made a guest appearance at the Aerosmith/NSYNC halftime show in 2001, and there's no better way to tell the world that she's alive and well than by showing up on the world's biggest stage.

Kesha

There's a rumor out there that Rihanna's performance is going to be a big old tribute to the 2010s, and Kesha's name has been tossed around as someone who might pop up. Maybe a mashup between "Tik Tok" and some of Rihanna's throwback hits, or "We Found Love" and "Die Young?" It's possible.

Eminem

After appearing at–and winning an Emmy for–last year's halftime show, it's unlikely that Eminem would find himself back on the Super Bowl stage so quickly. But considering their huge hits "The Monster" and "Love the Way You Lie," it's conceivable that he might drop in.

SZA

SZA is one of the biggest stars in music right now and her album continues to dominate sales, streaming, and radio play. Her upcoming tour sold out in minutes, she and Lizzo appear on a song together released today, and SZA appeared on Rihanna's song "Consideration" back in 2016. If Rihanna wants to lend her stage to the next generation of talent, look for the luminous SZA to make a surprise appearance.

T.I.

"Live Your Life" is one of Rihanna's and T.I.'s biggest hits, and it's totally within the realm of possibility that they burn up the Super Bowl stage together this weekend. As it is, T.I. is due for a big comeback.

Stevie Nicks

Rihanna, Rhiannon, who knows, right? It wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility that Rihanna will want to bring out a classic rock icon to help appeal to the boomers. Bruno Mars invited the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shania Twain brought out Sting, and the likes of Phil Collins, U2, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen have all graced the halftime stage. Stevie Nicks is also from Arizona, which is where this year's game is taking place. You never know.

DJ Khaled

Speaking of boomers, nothing gets older white people dancing quite like the Santana bass line from "Maria Maria," which DJ Khaled and Rihanna repurposed in 2017 for their huge hit "Wild Thoughts." Khaled is beloved in the industry, immensely connected, and has surely earned his right to appear during the most watched 13-minute concert of the year. It's entirely possible as well that Rihanna and DJ Khaled will bring out Santana himself, who has never performed at the Super Bowl.