Oct 9, 2019 - Sports

Rihanna confirms she turned down the Super Bowl to support Kaepernick

Michael Sykes

Rihanna at the Diamond Ball — Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

It's official: Pop icon Rihanna confirmed she turned down the NFL's request to perform at the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show, to demonstrate support for Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

What she's saying: Rihanna tells Vogue: "I couldn't dare do that. For what? Who gains from that? Not my people. I just couldn't be a sellout."

Why it matters: The Super Bowl was once a coveted event for performers. Rihanna was one of the first to turn the NFL away.

Go deeper: Political controversy rocked the Super Bowl

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Rihanna confirms she turned down the Super Bowl to support Kaepernick

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