Sheryl Lee Ralph Felt Invitation To Perform At Super Bowl Was A 'Nomination'
By Fiyin Olowokandi on February 4, 2023 at 11:00 PM EST
Sheryl Lee Ralph has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – to perform at the pregame of the upcoming Super Bowl LVII – and she wasted no time in grabbing it!
The 66-year-old actress will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" before the game on Sunday, February 12, which she spoke about in a recent interview, expressing her delight with the opportunity.
Sheryl Lee Ralph Promises To Deliver In Super Bowl Pregame Performance
Ralph is more than prepared to sing alongside noteworthy performers at the 2023 Super Bowl pregame, including country music star Chris Stapleton and R&B singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.
Reflecting on her reaction to the offer, she told ET Online that there was no hesitation in her acceptance as she felt honored.
The award-winning celeb admitted to having "a moment of like, "What me? They want me to sing at the Super Bowl – a song that has never been a part of the opening ceremonies? Me? Yes!"
She then compared the proposal to a nomination and explained, "I've been saying through the whole awards season, 'It's about the nomination,' and for me, this is a nomination." Ralph then declared that she was "ready to deliver" after noting that she would not have been chosen to perform beside "great singers, artists, and performers" if she could not deliver.
Not only is she self-confident about delivering, but her "Abbott Elementary" co-stars also believe in her as they have been cheering her on since the announcement. It should be noted that the ABC mockumentary, centered in Philadelphia, constantly roots for the Philly Eagles, who will play against the Kansas City Chiefs in the forthcoming game. Ralph shared:
"Philly is on a wonderful high with 'Abbott Elementary' being based in [the city]. They see this as the wonderful last chapter of a new book that's gonna be written, or maybe it's the first chapter as we go into the third season of 'Abbott Elementary.'"
Not to mention, the "Dreamgirls" actress, who was previously featured on the "Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4" show, will get to see Rihanna's much-anticipated halftime performance later that night.
Ralph has always been open about her huge adoration for the Fenty founder, and she could not help but recall her experience on the fashion show, saying:
"Let me tell you, that was one of the greatest 60 seconds of my whole life. I was like, 'You betta strut, Mama!'... I'm gonna have that forever, and I love the way people are trying to do my choreography!"
When asked if the "Umbrella" songstress would ever appear on "Abbott Elementary," she held back, saying it could be a "wonderful thing" while implying that anything could happen.
The Tony Award winner further conveyed her glee for all the great happenings in Rihanna's life, including her baby and relationship, before adding, "I'm glad I'm going to join her with the slayage."
Per reports, in addition to her "Lift Every Voice and Sing" show, Stapleton will perform the National Anthem while Babyface will sing a rendition of "America the Beautiful." Every performer will have someone with them providing American Sign Language (ASL) on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
It was reported that Stapleton would be joined by Troy Kotsur, who would sign the national anthem. Kotsur is the second deaf person to ever win an Oscar after Marlee Martin.
Rihanna Launches New Collection Inspired By Her Upcoming Super Bowl Performance
Rihanna is set to have her first performance in almost five years at this year's Super Bowl, and she marked the feat by dropping a new clothing collection. She shared the news with fans using a video of her looking glam in merch from her Fenty sweater collection, "Game Day Collection," inspired by the 2023 game.
Looking all-natural, the Barbadian musician's hair was styled into a messy ponytail as she showed off the customized hoodie by zooming in on the featured graphics displaying a massive NFL regulation football.
The ball was held up by her tattooed hand, as seen on the merch, with "Fenty" scribbled in white close to the right sleeve.
Included in the collection are a Limited-Edition LVII Two-Tone Varsity Jersey ($112.95-124.25), a Limited-Edition LVII Surprise Tee ($59.95 – 65.95), a Limited-Edition LVII Cotton Boxers from ($32.95-36.25), and a Limited-Edition LVII Hat ($49.95-54.95).
