• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Shaquille O’Neal hits out at critics ‘disrespecting’ Rihanna following Super Bowl

Home> Celebrity

Published 16:09 18 Feb 2023 GMT

Shaquille O’Neal hits out at critics ‘disrespecting’ Rihanna following Super Bowl

The former basketball star encouraged Donald Trump and the like to 'shut the f**k up'.

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

Shaquille O'Neal has hit back at critics of Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime performance.

Rihanna took to the field at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona for her first performance in seven years, and the headlines were sealed within seconds.

The 34-year-old kicked off the show suspended high above the stadium dressed all in red, surrounded by her dancers dressed in all white.

Advert

With this being her first performance in years, she certainly picked the best moment to announce some big news, as she opened her jacket and stroked her pronounced stomach, with many fans quickly speculating that this was a pregnancy announcement.

Sure enough, the news was later confirmed by her representative and Rihanna was heaped with praise for her performance; even Piers Morgan said it was 'pretty damn impressive' that she pulled it off while pregnant.

Shaq has told critics to shut their mouths about Rihanna's performance.
REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo

However, not everyone was quite so complimentary, with former President of the United States, Donald Trump, branding it the worst Super Bowl performance ever.

Advert

And the king of the ill-fitting suit even had the nerve to criticise her attire.

The 76-year-old wrote: "EPIC FAIL: Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history — this after insulting far more than half of our Nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language. Also, so much for her 'Stylist!'"

Now, Shaq has encouraged Trump and the like to 'shut the f**k up'.

Speaking on The Big Podcast with Shaq, the former basketball star said: "All you people disrespecting my Rihanna, shut your face. Shut it up.

Advert

"We're living in a world where people got too much freedom. Keep your f***ing thoughts to yourself.

"She did a wonderful job, she's pregnant, she blessed it, she did her thing, she didn't fall. Just leave it there. All you superstars that's disrespectful and causing beef, shut your face. Shut it up."

The 50-year-old continued: "I was there. It was beautiful. She did a great job. I didn't know she was pregnant until she bust out, but leave her alone.

"Rihanna, thank you. That was my first time I've ever seen you perform, you did a great job. I love you, we all love you. All you other people, shut your damn mouth.

Advert

"All you people that got something to say, shut the f*** up."

Shaq was a big fan of the show.
Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo

Ahead of the Super Bowl, Rihanna had hinted that the performance would be a family affair, saying that it was 'important' for her son to watch it.

In a separate interview with Total Access NFL, she said she was 'thinking about bringing someone'.

Advert

Most people had assumed this might have meant Jay-Z or someone like that - not her unborn baby.

The singer treated fans to a selection of hits from her catalogue, including 'B**ch Better Have My Money', 'We Found Love' and 'Umbrella'.

Famous faces spotted among the crowd in the 63,000-seat stadium included Floyd Mayweather, Adele, and Sir Paul McCartney – who headlined the Super Bowl halftime show himself in 2005.

Featured Image Credit: Sipa US/Cal Sport Media /Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Celebrity, Super Bowl, Music, Rihanna

Jake Massey
Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

X

@jakesmassey

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • 16 hours ago

    Arnold Schwarzenegger's rarely-seen son Joseph reveals what his superstar dad 'busts his balls' about

    Joseph Baena said his dad is his 'role model'

    Celebrity
  • a day ago

    Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane fights back tears as he discusses heartbreaking ALS diagnosis in first interview

    The actor previously portrayed Dr. Mark Sloan on the medical drama and starred as Jason Dean in Charmed

    Celebrity
  • a day ago

    Caitlyn Jenner speaks out from bomb shelter as she's trapped in Israel during Iran missile strikes

    Caitlyn Jenner says she's drinking wine while missiles are striking down around her shelter

    Celebrity
  • 2 days ago

    Arnold Schwarzenegger's controversial family history revealed as one son seems to be left out of family photo on red carpet

    Schwarzenegger's son, Joseph Baena, was a scandal in the 2010s

    Celebrity
  • 50 Cent says he only performed at Super Bowl because Eminem refused to perform without him
  • All the celebrities who are currently at the 2025 Super Bowl
  • People can't get over Serena Williams joining Kendrick Lamar onstage during Super Bowl performance
  • Why Kendrick Lamar wasn't paid for his huge Super Bowl halftime show