Rihanna Fans Slam ‘Messy’ Usher Half-Time Show: ‘Save Us’

Rihanna fans are hitting out at Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show, claiming “nothing can top” the starlet’s 2023 set.

Usher performed at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Sunday during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

Stripping off on-stage and rollerblading, the R&B star treated fans to several classics including “My Boo,” “Burn” and “U Got it Bad”, before finishing the show with his mega-hit “Yeah.”

The 45-year-old star was accompanied by a number of celebrity guests during the 15-minute set including Alicia Keys, will.i.am, Jermaine Dupri, Lil’ Jon, Ludacris and H.E.R.

However, Rihanna fans weren’t impressed by the 45-year-old’s set, comparing it to the songstress’s performance last year.

“Man what is this halftime show bring back rihanna,” said @wizardseries on X, formerly Twitter.

“This felt just so uneventful compared to rihanna’s last year,” agreed @nostalgia3005.

“I think we can all agree nothing is topping the Rihanna halftime show,” said @biasedraptorfan.

“Usher that’s fine, but Rihanna outdid u while being pregnant lil bro…..” wrote @sixthirty_Jinxz.

“We need rihanna to save us,” said Drew.

“Usher skated around for 2 minutes and cut,” commented Zee.

“This Usher halftime show is so messy, the transitions are so bad,” said tatyana. “Please bring back Rihanna.”

However, other viewers defended Usher, calling Rihanna’s performance “mid.”

“Usher’s performance was absolutely better than Rihanna’s. No question,” said Brian Robinson.

“Like who even is rihanna??” joked Kai.

“This halftime show was better than Rihanna’s last year,” said Nikki Gist. “Yeh I said it & [I don’t care].”

“Usher ate rihanna up so badly this is crazy,” said Geli.

“USHER IS LIKE PUSHING 50 & WAS ROLLER BLADING, RUNNING BACK & FORTH, OUTFIT CHANGES & DANCING THE WHOLE PERFORMANCE,” wrote MTVexposed. “THERES NO F****** EXCUSE @rihanna.”

Newsweek has reached out to Usher for comment via email.

Donning an all-red jumpsuit, Rihanna used the half-time show to reveal her second pregnancy to the world. The 35-year-old already shared one-year-old son RZA with rapper A$AP Rocky, before giving birth to daughter Riot Rose Mayers in August 2023.

During the 13-minute gig, the Barbados-born star sang and danced on a moving LED platform, accompanied by 80 dancers in white jumpsuits on the field below.

The Grammy-winner performed multiple chart-toppers including “Only Girl in the World,” “Umbrella,” “Work” and “Diamonds.”

It took a team of 800 to pull off the spectacle, including camera operators, musicians and the stage crew.

However, the mum-of-two’s set divided opinions online, just like Usher’s 2024 performance.

Some called the performance “boring,” while others felt the extravagant set-up was a “waste of money.”

Donald Trump supporters in particular took issue with Rihanna’s half-time show. The former president described the singer’s performance as the “worst in history” on Truth Social, while MAGA fans condemned the half-time show for being too “woke.”

However, many people loved the show, describing Rihanna’s performance as “powerful” and an “emotional, beautiful performance.”