Rihanna confirms declining SB LIII halftime show to support Kaepernick

Rihanna has addressed why she turned down an opportunity to perform during the Super Bowl LIII halftime show.

"Absolutely," the singer told Vogue's Abby Aguirre when asked if she declined the invitation in solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. "I couldn't dare do that. 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."

Reports first emerged in October 2018 that Rihanna turned down an offer to headline the show because she didn't agree with the NFL's stance on the kneeling controversy. She later posted on Instagram that she was boycotting the Super Bowl, prompting a show of appreciation from Kaepernick.

Cardi B was also reportedly in talks about performing at the Super Bowl LIII halftime show, but a representative for the rapper said she wasn't interested because of her support of Kaepernick.

Maroon 5 was eventually announced as the headliner alongside special guests Travis Scott and Big Boi of OutKast. This year's halftime show will be headlined by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.