Rihanna is opening up about her decision to turn down the Super Bowl halftime show.
In an interview with Vogue, the singer explains she made the decision to show solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and because she just “couldn’t be a sellout.”
“I couldn’t dare do that,” she told the publication. “For what? Who gains from that? Not my people. I just couldn’t be a sellout. I couldn’t be an enabler. There’s things within that organization that I do not agree with at all, and I was not about to go and be of service to them in any way.”
It was rumored last year that the singer had reportedly turned down the halftime show but the rumors were never confirmed.
A source told Us Weekly, “The NFL and CBS really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta. They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance.” Maroon 5 later performed at the show.
Rihanna also opened up about what makes her feel hopeful in this tumultuous world, with the singer explaining that people have been forced “to do better.”
“I feel like the darkness has actually forced people to find this light within them where they want to do better,” she said. “It’s easy when you think everything is going really well and perfect. When everything is flowers and butterflies and you’re in your own bubble and your own world. But to see it, to know it’s happening—it pushes you to want to be the light in the world.”