Incase you haven’t heard, pop star Rihanna has been chosen as this year’s Super Bowl performer for the halftime show.
Of course, she’s one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, so she’s earned the right and more to be on the stage.
That being said, after last year’s reunion of Eminem, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, with a little extra from Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige, Rihanna seem like… kind of a let down?
And one sports talk show host, arguably the biggest in the game, isn’t necessarily “thrilled” to be watching Rihanna once the Super Bowl rolls around either.
Of course, it’ none other than the most opinionated guy in sports, Stephen A. Smith.
Smith made an appearance on Sherri, where he did what he does best… share his wildest hot takes.
He said:
“I don’t want to say I’m not excited. She’s fantastic. That’s not where I’m going with this.
Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things. She’s spectacular, actually. And congratulations on new mamahood.
There’s one thing she’s not: she ain’t Beyoncé.”
The audience, including host Sherri Shepherd, were left in shock by Smith’s comments.
However, he stood by his statement:
“The only reason I brought up Beyoncé is because Beyoncé recently performed at the Super Bowl. And without Bruno Mars and Coldplay.”
Shepherd backed up Rihanna, saying it was her time to shine on the Super Bowl stage, but Smith was un-phased:
“I like television, I like a lotta talent out there. There’s some spectacular females in television, I just wanna say that. Everybody ain’t Sherri. That’s not throwing shade on them! That’s appreciating their greatness but understanding there’s levels.
Rihanna’s music is fantastic. She’s great, she’s a sister. I love her dearly, I listen to her music. I’m gonna support her ’til the cows come home! I’m just telling you, for me, there’s Beyoncé, there’s everybody else.”
C’mon Stephen A., just admit it… you’re not pumped about Rihanna:
With that being said, the Twitter world wasn’t a fan of Smith’s comments:
Rihanna googling “What’s a Stephen A smith” https://t.co/8ZL1KkfHnB pic.twitter.com/DTj02MuCoa
— Fenty Lounge⚓️ (@FentyLounge) January 18, 2023
Rihanna doesn’t need nor wants to be Beyoncé, let’s start there. She created her own lane and didn’t copy what was already done by MJ and Tina Turner. @stephenasmith it’s always the black man degrading a black woman. We don’t even know who you are. Clout chaser! pic.twitter.com/ma1UfXpXuP
— RihannaImpact (@rihanna_impact) January 18, 2023
She’s RIHANNA @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/32ITcsx0p6
— JAQUAN (@Rihannaisrobyn) January 18, 2023
I’m hearing Rihanna fans canceling Stephen A Smith
Do what y’all gotta do 😂
— The World Is Yours 🌎 (@BigKason92) January 18, 2023
I just saw Stephen A. Smith's comments on Rihanna and that was so tacky omg.
— Shar Jossell (@SharSaysSo) January 18, 2023
Stephen A. Smith got Rihanna fucked up
— poohpooh (@playaasslee) January 18, 2023
I was absolutely annoyed with @stephenasmith and his response about @rihanna performing at #SuperBowl2023 . Hopefully we’re all misunderstanding his context but why couldn’t he just congratulate her opportunity to perform? Maybe he just wanted to be #TrendingNow 🤨 https://t.co/z4sCtfgrk9
— Nel E (@What_Nel_Said_) January 18, 2023
Stephen A. Smith using Beyoncé to shade Rihanna was corny and unnecessary. He could’ve said he liked Rihanna without mentioning Beyoncé.
— my name is… (@clapmytweets) January 18, 2023
