Super Bowl halftime show sign language interpreter praised for ‘stealing the show’ during Rihannathe performance of.
Justina Miles was assigned to perform Rihanna’s halftime performance for the 2023 Super Bowl on Sunday night (February 12), and viewers were impressed.
The 20-year-old is the show’s first deaf female performer and is also the first deaf person to perform the pre-show’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, sung by the actress Sheryl Lee Ralphreports CNBC.
Videos showing Miles’ performance have since gone viral; the performer can be seen doing sign language to Rihanna’s lyrics while dancing excitedly.
“Justina Miles stole the show as Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime ASL performer!” wrote a viewer on Twitter.
“I didn’t watch the Super Bowl, but I LOVE this performance,” said John Amaechi OBE, “@Rihanna it’s even better with Justina Miles’ ASL.
He continued: “Just another example of how inclusion – far from harming the ‘mainstream’ – is additive for EVERYONE.”
“You can tell she LOVES Rihanna,” one commenter wrote on a video of her performance on TikTok.
Justina Miles at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show
(Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show)
“SHE DEVOURED” someone else wrote, while another said, “Ngl I watched her more than I watched Riri.”
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“Is there a type of Grammy award category for sign performers?” asked an impressed viewer.
“Have you all seen the ASL interpreter, #JustinaMiles? She was an amazing representation of how music can’t always be heard, but it can certainly be felt. #SuperArcone viewer tweeted.
“Without a doubt, everyone is putting their hands together one of the best signed live musical performance translations I have seen,” wrote another.
“The musicality, the killer articulation, the choices, the layered representation, the preparation, the authenticity! No ceiling everything slams #JustinaMiles #ASL”
Fans were also impressed with Rihanna’s performance during her pregnancy during the halftime show.
The singer confirmed she was pregnant with her second child while performing at the 2023 Super Bowl, nearly nine months after hosting her first child with partner A$AP Rocky in May 2022.
“I don’t think Rihanna understands the level of excitement she brought to everyone who loves her and her music. She sang classics that took us back in time. Danced and sang while pregnant . Epic!” wrote a fan praising the performance.