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Shaq tells critics of Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show to ‘shut the f**k up’

February 18, 2023 | | Print Article

When a pregnant Rihanna, wrapped in red and flanked by Oompa-Loompa lookalikes, took the State Farm Stadium stage in Glendale, Arizona, and belted out a 13-minute set for Super Bowl fans, 118.7 million viewers tuned in, making her the second-most-watched halftime performer in the game’s history, second only to Katy Perry’s 2015 spectacle.

But faster than you can say “fumble,” critics jumped on Rihanna’s performance, with former President Donald Trump calling it “the single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history.”

The 34-year-old singer and actress raised eyebrows with gestures that were not exactly lady-like and a belt buckle that was… well… a belt buckle.

Bizarre charges of Satanism spilled onto Twitter, stumping even conservative commentators like Elija Shaffer.


It was all a bit much for NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who had a few choice words for Rihanna’s critics: “Shut the f–k up.”

It’s not actually bad advice, considering that many of the same people dissing Rihanna for touching her crotch and smelling her fingers were likely cheering on Madonna 40 years ago as she writhed and wiggled on the Grammy’s stage in a wedding dress.


(Video: YouTube)

This is, after all, rock ‘n’ roll, and unless you’re at a James Taylor concert, you expect a bit of shock and awe.

On Shaq’s “Big Podcast,” the basketball icon called Rihanna’s extravaganza “beautiful.”

https://twitter.com/Rihannasnavybih/status/1625791750290669571?s=20

“All you people disrespecting my Rihanna, shut your face. Shut it up,” Shaq said. “I was there – it was beautiful. She did a great job. I didn’t know she was pregnant until she bust out, but leave this lady alone…”

“You did a great job. I love you,” he continued. “All you people that got something to say: shut the f— up.”

People, Shaq said, don’t know when to keep quiet.

“We living in a world where people got too much freedom. Keep your f–king thoughts to yourself,” he stated. “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.”

But some people just can’t help but hate on Rihanna.

Days after her Super Bowl appearance, British Vogue released its new cover featuring Rihanna, rapper A$AP Rocky, and their beautiful baby boy in what the magazine calls “a family portrait.”

“Demasculation project never sleeps,” wrote one Twitter user who was apparently offended because Rihanna is walking in front of her man, proving that people simply enjoy complaining about things.

And now, people are having fun complaining about Shaq.

“Oh I forgot…you celebs live a different lifestyle than the majority and are totally ok with something like that on national television,” one Twitter user wrote.

“I guess he a illuminati supporter two,” another remarked, grammar be damned.

Melissa Fine
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