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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith apologizes for saying Rihanna ‘ain’t Beyoncé’ ahead of Super Bowl halftime show

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Despite Beyoncé performing at two Super Bowls in the last 10 years, Stephen A. Smith wants her back.

Beyoncé performed twice in a three-year span, headlining Super Bowl XLVII’s halftime show and appearing as a special guest when Coldplay headlined Super Bowl 50.

Beyoncé and Rihanna attend Rihanna’s 3rd Annual Diamond Ball Benefitting The Clara Lionel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street Sept. 14, 2017, in New York City.
(Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Clara Lionel Foundation)

Rihanna will perform at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Feb. 12, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think she will do what Beyoncé has done.

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“I don’t wanna say I’m not excited. She’s fantastic,” Smith told Sherri Shepherd Wednesday. “That’s not where I’m going with this. Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things. She’s spectacular, actually. And congratulations on new momma-hood. There’s one thing she’s not: She ain’t Beyoncé.”

Beyoncé accepts the award for best R and B performance for “Black Parade” at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center March 14, 2021.
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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Shepherd pushed back, saying Beyoncé has “had her time” on the main stage, but Smith added there are “levels” in the entertainment business.

“Rihanna’s music is fantastic. She’s great. She’s a sister. I love her dearly. I listen to her music. I’m gonna support her until the cows come home,” Smith added. “I’m just telling you. For me, there’s Beyoncé and there’s everybody else. Just like there was Michael Jackson and there’s everybody else.

“She’s gonna be good. She can’t be bad,” Smith continued. “She’s too great not to be good. I’m just saying Beyoncé spoiled me.”

Shortly after, Smith issued apologies on Twitter.

“I want Rihanna to know you’re a superstar, you’re sensational, you’re spectacular. You’re no joke, and you are a worthy person to be doing Super Bowl halftime show…” Smith said in a video. “I meant it as no disrespect to Rihanna. I know she’s phenomenal and she’s my sister. Nothing but love for her, but Beyoncé is my sister, too. I got love for both of them.”