- Rihannarecently discussed her decision to turn down a chance to perform in theSuper Bowl halftime show.
- Inan interview with Vogue published Wednesday, she confirmedreports that she said noin solidarity withColin Kaepernick.
- "I couldn't dare do that. For what? Who gains from that? Not my people," she said. "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."
- Jennifer LopezandShakiraareconfirmed to performat the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show.
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Rihanna recently discussed her decision toturn down an offer to headline the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show.
"I couldn't dare do that. For what? Who gains from that? Not my people," she said inan interview with Vogue published Wednesday.
The 31-year-old mogul confirmed reports thatshe said no in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, the NFL quarterback who knelt during the national anthem before gamesto protest racism and police brutalityand who later accused the NFL of blacklisting him over it.
"I just couldn't be a sellout. I couldn't be an enabler," Rihanna told Vogue. "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."
Maroon 5 went on to headline the show — but not without some obstacles. Tens of thousands of peoplesigned a Change.org petition asking the band to show support for Kaepernick by turning down the opportunity.
"Kaepernick risked his career to take a knee for equality, and the NFL punished him for it," the petition said. "Until the league changes their policy and support players' constitutional right to protest, no artists should agree to work with the NFL."
Read more:5 bizarre controversies that threatened to derail Maroon 5's Super Bowl halftime show
The rapperTravis Scottalso received backlash fordeciding to join Maroon 5 onstageat the Super Bowl. Scott reportedlyconsulted with Kaepernick before accepting the offerand required the NFL to donate$500,000 to the nonprofit social-justice organization Dream Corps.
"I back anyone who takes a stand for what they believe in," Scott said in a statement. "I know being an artist that it's in my power to inspire. So before confirming the Super Bowl Halftime performance, I made sure to partner with the NFL on this important donation. I am proud to support Dream Corps and the work they do that will hopefully inspire and promote change."
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira were recentlyconfirmed to perform at the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show. Representatives for the singers didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
In addition to the Super Bowl controversy, Rihanna discussed a variety of political issues for her Vogue cover story. She called PresidentDonald Trump"the most mentally ill human being in America right now" and criticized his administration's racist rhetoric aboutgun violenceandimmigration.
"I don't feel outside the fray," she said, despite her current residence in London. "When I see something happen to any woman, a woman of any minority, kids, black men being murdered in the streets — I can't remove myself from that."
