All it took was a picture of perfectly manicured hands, triumphantly holding up a football, to send the Internet into a frenzy.

“I was shocked,” German secondary education senior Mitchell Ernst said. “I feel like we’ve all talked about … (how) Rihanna hasn’t really been releasing new music or we haven’t really heard anything from her. So for her to just post that photo … I was like, 'this is a big moment for pop culture.'”

The singer's last music release was her album "Anti" in 2016, which included songs like “Work” and “Love on the Brain.” Since then, she’s mainly focused on growing her cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty.

Broadcast journalism sophomore Karina Prieto said that the Super Bowl announcement after this musical hiatus confused her.

“She was such a moment when she was making music,” Prieto said. “I feel like it’s pretty gutsy to announce that you're going to perform as a musical artist at the halftime show and you haven't released music in like years.”

However, Ernst said he doesn’t think it will affect Rihanna’s relevancy.

“I think she's one of those things that will forever be spoken (about) when you talk about just good music over the decades or the classic hits,” he said. "But I think … especially with Tik Tok and with just a new generation kind of coming up on Instagram ... they’ll be more inclined to pay attention and to further that name of Rihanna.”

Similarly, Prieto felt the Rihanna's reputation didn’t take much of a hit.

“She doesn’t really care about the music relevancy, evidently,” she said. “This could be the beginning of something, like she'll announce like when (a new album) is going to drop or … a bigger kind of marketing thing.”

The announcement was especially shocking because Rihanna has previously rejected a Super Bowl halftime gig offer.

In 2019, many performers including Pink and Cardi B, turned down halftime performances due to political differences. The decisions were acts of support for former NFL player and activist Colin Kaepernick, who protested police brutality in 2016 by taking a knee during the National Anthem at games. 

Rihanna, also in support of Kaepernick, told Vogue that she didn’t want to be a sellout or enabler by being of service to the NFL.

Now, the singer is set to perform on "Super Bowl Sunday," on Feb. 12, 2023.

Human biology sophomore Shivani Anandhasenthil said she doesn’t think this makes Rihanna a “sellout” today.

“She rejected it because she stood by it,” Anandhasenthil said. “That doesn’t mean that now that she’s performing, her opinions have changed.”

Ernst shared these sentiments, pointing out that political climates can shift over time.

“When you look at what it was in 2019 – coming up in an election year that I think really affected how politicized everything was,” Ernst said. “I can understand not wanting to be put in the middle of that.”

Even beyond politics, the NFL is no stranger to scandals. 

In 2004, when her on-stage costar Justin Timberlake ripped off a part of her costume, exposing her nipple, Janet Jackson was blacklisted from the Superbowl. Meanwhile, Timberlake walked away from what was called “NippleGate” unscathed.

In 2020, Shakira and J-Lo’s halftime performances were criticized for being overtly sexual and not family-oriented.

In 2022, it was revealed that halftime producers were calling for backup dancers, with a focus on Black performers, without intending to pay them.

Prieto said actions like this make it harder for female artists of color, in particular.

“It probably makes more female artists not want to perform ... being under scrutiny,” Prieto said. “I was actually thinking about that when I heard her announcement, because when I think Rihanna, I think 'Love on the Brain' and songs that people might deem inappropriate. So I was wondering how she was going to go about her performance without getting any backlash.”

Anandhasenthil said that Rihanna’s focus on empowerment and confidence in her music can help to overcome such controversy.

“She’s a bad b----,” she said. “She owns up to herself and she’s proud of what she does. I think she’s going to stand up for herself and not let anything bother her."

Anandhasenthil also said she looks forward to amazing music and a strong comeback from the “Disturbia” singer, and she's not alone in this expecation. Ersnt believes it could one of the best Super Bowl performances of all time.

“Showstopper,” Ernst said. “It’s going to be something where everybody tunes in. ... Beyonce’s moment at the Super Bowl is one of my favorites, and I think just that same queen, boss b---- energy is what (Rihanna’s) going to bring.”

Along with a performance full of classics like “Umbrella,” Ernst expects confirmation for a new album to be on Rihanna’s setlist.

“There’s maybe a 40% chance that she performs something new,” Ernst said.

Anandhasenthil also thinks that Rihanna’s new album is finally within grasp.

She pointed out that if Rihanna is committing to performing at the Super Bowl, it is likely that the singer has also committed to working on music again.

“I have a conspiracy that she’s going to announce her album,” Prieto said. “Which will obviously take over Twitter and every social media platform after.”